OT: Who is your #2 college football team and why?

Submitted by crg on

I put this as OT since it is not immediately about UM football, but is blog relevant since it gives broader understanding about those who post here:

Parents are not supposed to have favorite children, but this is football and most of us here have already chosen UM as our main team/program. However, is there another team out there that is almost (or equally) dear to you, either within the Big Ten or in all of CFB (EDIT: OR WHO ELSE DO YOU DISLIKE THE LEAST)? What drew you to have this mixed loyalty - and who do you support if UM and this other team play? This question is also valid for those here that have another team as their primary and UM second - how did that come about?

For me, I have a stronger appreciation for NW than most other programs. They enforce academic standards more than most, they are more amicable than many other P5 fanbases, no great UM emnity, some degree of on field success, and seem to be genuinely interested in the student's long term prospects beyond their playing career. While these characteristics describe many other schools also, a more personal aspect is that 1) I have several alums in my extended family and 2) almost chose to go there for grad school (did not have the specialization I really wanted though). Regardless, I am still pleased when UM soundly pummels them - now possibly twice in one season.

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huntmich

September 5th, 2017 at 5:21 PM ^

I want Texas to win because I live in Austin and have wanted there to be buzz around the football team down here since I moved down. But now that I'm leaving in the next few months that dream is dead.

Joined: 10/18/2015

MGoPoints: 18173

superstringer

September 5th, 2017 at 5:25 PM ^

My oldest daughter just started college at a U that doesnt play varsity football. So no chance of needing a #2 football school.

But basketball season will be another story. We beat that school in the first round a couple years ago or so. Never know.

Joined: 02/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18175

Well...Well...Well

September 5th, 2017 at 5:32 PM ^

I grew up rooting for Purdue since a number of family members including my dad went there - this was around the early Joe Tiller days when Drew Brees/Kyle Orton were the QBs, so not the worst time to be a fan.

Haven't really followed them from the time I arrived at Michigan though apart from periodically checking a box score or catching part of a game if my dad's watching.

 

 

Joined: 07/24/2012

MGoPoints: 2243

O S Who

September 5th, 2017 at 5:35 PM ^

grew up a huge notre dame fan but didnt get in.  went to michigan just in time for them to go 3-9 my freshman year.  still became a michigan fan.  great times.

ND is still my second favorite team, although my interest in their games wanes with every passing year.

Joined: 01/02/2011

MGoPoints: 1751

turtleboy

September 5th, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^

Love the service academies. Watching the option is like watching a live time capsule of vintage American football, plus they're outsmarting and outexecuting to win, because they'll never outtalent or outsize other teams. Always the underdog, almost impossible for them to ever be the dirty program, too. Also love the smaller Michigan schools like Western, Eastern, and Central. I've always had an inexplicable non-attached love for Pitt for some reason, as well. Don't ask, can't explain it.

Joined: 04/22/2011

MGoPoints: 35131

xtramelanin

September 5th, 2017 at 5:34 PM ^

great school, evanston is a nice town, love lake michigan, and if we hadn't landed the ultimate coach in harbaugh, pat fitzgerald would've been my next pick.  

Image result for 1970's northwestern football helmet

Joined: 12/09/2014

MGoPoints: 15439

M Ascending

September 6th, 2017 at 8:20 AM ^

I also root for Northwestern, but not due to any personal connections.  I like them because:

(1)  They are a great academic institution;

(2)  There is never any inkling of scandal or cheating in their programs;

(3)  They are perennial underdogs;

(4) Pat Fitzgerald appears to have tremendous character and integrity; and

(5) They have a cute high school stadium.

 

 

 

 

Joined: 09/14/2016

MGoPoints: 21355

LandryHD

September 5th, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^

I don't believe in having 2 teams in pro sports but college I'll root for Indiana State because they're my alma mater. If I never went to college or went to Michigan, it would only be Michigan.

Joined: 07/04/2008

MGoPoints: 5372

stephenrjking

September 5th, 2017 at 5:37 PM ^

Michigan kinda consumes everything. I've had some sympathetic feelings for LSU and Texas A&M and have attended games there; I suppose in otherwise neutral matchups I pull for them, but with LSU in particular it's hard to root for them at all given how corrupt I believe their program to be. 

But honestly my main concern is what's best for Michigan. Since I live in Minnesota I don't mind seeing the Gophers do well against other teams, but I'm pretty detached. 

So I guess the only other team I actively care about the results of now is UMD, a local Division 2 power. I'm pretty fair-weather but I dropped in on their game last Thursday (a top-25 matchup with Sioux Falls that turned into a dreary offense-free loss) and care about how they do. And I followed their most recent D-2 championship run pretty closely, braving the brutal windchills to watch an electric playoff win over NW Mo St 5 or 6 years ago. 

 

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143887

ska4punkkid

September 5th, 2017 at 5:38 PM ^

I'm not really a fan, but I root for BYU. I mean, I'm Mormon and live in Provo so yea.

But everytime I even try to watch them on TV I either die with boredom or think how sucky it must be to be a die hard BYU fan

Joined: 07/09/2015

MGoPoints: 11925

crg

September 5th, 2017 at 5:52 PM ^

BYU seems like on of those teams that should be easy to root for, but oddly take themselves out of it. Not a Mormon, but I watch their games now and then - they seem to have a disprotionate amount of dirty plays/players (the crotch punching a few years ago immediately comes to mind, but I recall other events as well). This seems strange since they are so strict about their honor (morality) code, but maybe it is not really that much of an issue and the see incidents are overblown.

Joined: 04/30/2015

MGoPoints: 75054

jamesjosephharbaugh

September 5th, 2017 at 5:47 PM ^

Grew up in that area, fond of IU and wish them the best. Conveniently usually not a threat to UM so there is minimal conflict of interest.

Hoops, however, are a different story.  

Joined: 10/17/2016

MGoPoints: 495

DPUblue

September 5th, 2017 at 5:53 PM ^

Northwestern- grandfather an alum, grew up in Chicago burbs going to games (Darnell Autry, anyone)

Oklahoma- best friend from college went OU for law school, been to a few games...he cheers for UM I cheer for OU

Alabama- I know I know...but I have a cousin I idolized go there (and graduate in 1.5 years) in early 2000's. Plus I love the idea of a Goliath that college football is collectively trying to slay.

Joined: 01/09/2009

MGoPoints: 1011

Milty

September 5th, 2017 at 5:58 PM ^

For football, the Hokies, since I now live in Virginia and my son is a student there. Third would be West Point, since I retired from the Army.

In basketball, it's Kansas, since that's where I got my grad degree.

Joined: 12/14/2010

MGoPoints: 241

RainbowSprings

September 5th, 2017 at 5:58 PM ^

They face an uphill battle for recruits. I'm a veteran; can't help being patriotic in this regard. In reality, all three academy schools should probably be playing in the FCS instead of FBS. I wouldn't think any less of them.

No, I am not pulling for AFA against UM. My patriotism has its limits!

Joined: 11/09/2010

MGoPoints: 13438

BIGBLUEWORLD

September 5th, 2017 at 6:02 PM ^

My second favorite sports team is Michigan basketball (Never forget Rumeal Robinson sinking those free throws).

My third favorite sports team is the Los Angeles Lakers.

I used to love the Detroit Lions, but William Clay Ford did everything possible to ruin that.

Glad for the WMU Broncos, but not really invested.

Happy for the Pistons because...swagger (Never will forget Adrian Dantley in the low post, and always liked Isiah Thomas.)

Still like the Tigers and Red Wings from a distance. You never forget heroes like Al Kaline and Gordie Howe (who I was fortunate to meet and speak with, in a state of awe, at Olympia Stadium).

 

Joined: 07/14/2012

MGoPoints: 4239

MGoCadet-Vicar…

September 5th, 2017 at 6:03 PM ^

The pride and dream of every heart in gray. Grew up a Michigan fan, went to West Point, pretty simple. The 2013 and 2014 seasons were pretty bleak, but now I confidently believe both my teams are on the rise. Beating Navy last year was the most satisfying sporting event of my life, attending the 2011 win over OSU is second.

Joined: 11/19/2015

MGoPoints: 141

EGD

September 5th, 2017 at 6:08 PM ^

None that compare to Michigan. But I grew up in Saginaw so I kind of cheer for CMU, I went to law school at Louisville so I kind of root for them, I lived in Seattle for 12 years so I kind of support UW, and I moved to Virginia last year so I am deciding whether to get behind UVA, VT, or the University of Richmond Spiders (FCS, I think). But yeah, Go Blue all the way.

Joined: 09/16/2009

MGoPoints: 35199

kvnryn

September 5th, 2017 at 6:09 PM ^

They gave me a degree.

Grew up going to pretty much every Michigan home game, but wanted to go somewhere warmer for school. Would still root for Michigan if they ever played each other.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1202

GotBlueOnMyMind

September 5th, 2017 at 6:14 PM ^

Alabama, because I went to school there after graduating from Michigan. However, I proudly (at first, and then sadly) wore the Maize and Blue in a bar in Tuscaloosa during the game in Dallas. Michigan is my #1, and it is not close. Go Blue! Roll Tide!

Joined: 03/01/2012

MGoPoints: 2349

Eye of the Tiger

September 5th, 2017 at 6:25 PM ^

Lots of family went to Wisconsin and I had some great trips to Madison as a kid. Plus I respect how much they do with so little in terms of recruiting. I don't actively support Wisconsin, but I guess you could say I'm vaguely sympathetic to them, and I'll root for them against common enemies and in bowl games. As for Washington, I went to grad school there and had a great experience. I never made an emotional connection to the school the way I did with Michigan, but I'm happy to see them doing well now after a brutal stretch.

Joined: 09/14/2009

MGoPoints: 7827

goblue16

September 5th, 2017 at 6:26 PM ^

I have 2 #2s. First California Golden bears. Reason is because I watched my first Michigan state game in 2002 where they played someone other than Michigan obviously and cal put a whooping on em beating them 45-22 I think. The other team is the Toledo Rockets ya ya 08 I know but I got accepted into their pharmacy school in 2013 so I have to give em love. Plus there actually fun to watch. Strangely all school I cheer are blue and some form of yellow

Joined: 03/28/2010

MGoPoints: 17468

MaizeJacket

September 5th, 2017 at 6:27 PM ^

Michigan is my second favorite team.  I have lived my whole life in Georgia and graduated from GA Tech (yes, I'm sitll licking the wounds from Monday night). Tech is in my blood, but I have friendly connections in Michigan and have attended games there for the past decade.

Joined: 09/03/2013

MGoPoints: 1810