It's time for MGoD&D - building the schools as fifth edition characters and attempting to play a campaign or a one-shot with them.

Enjoy Wisconsin, the bald, grizzled 40 year old Human Champion Fighter, because who doesn't love a bit more fighter in their fighter?

Here comes Michigan, the kind of gamer who keeps insisting the DM actually run the superior AD&D and whines about THAC0 while everyone just stares at him uncomfortably while secretly wishing they could just take him around back and just beat him up for being such a god damn nerd.  Absolutely plays a spellcaster that takes 10-15 minutes for each of his turns.

Oh, Illinois!  They're obviously a Cleric because they're finally healing.  Probably an elf, because they've been around forever and likely now have a totally rational fear of beards.

We couldn't forget about Indiana, who as a Rogue is screaming at the DM to start at level 4 so they can take the Mobile feat.  Sneak attack, run away.  They do one thing well and that is the only thing they will ever do again, cackling as they do so.  Is it fun?  It is for them!

And then there's...Ohio State.  A multiclassed Druid Barbarian that somehow convinced the DM to start with a homebrew magic item.  They should only have a finite number of rages or wild shapes, but who cares no one keeps track of that stuff anyway unless they're lame and ruining their fun.  They're the most likely person to roll a Persuasion check before the DM calls for it, and have probably attempted to roll a Persuasion check on another player.

2003.

Pretend MGoBlog started a year earlier and cover the 2003 season end to end as if MGoBlog existed.

It's more interesting than what's been happening for the last decade.

An alternative history of Michigan football where we gave Rich Rod a 4th year, he goes 9-4, and we still fire him because Meyer is available and interested.

No Hoke.

No Harbaugh.

Just a decade of ruthless recruiting. And winning.

Yes, I have football apathy.  That bothers me, but I can’t see this changing without some proof on the field.  I’d like something to create some hope, but we clearlY need better moles inside the submarine.  Surely someone can be bought. MGoFundMe slush fund campaign?

Ooooh!!!!  Big Ten football teams and their Empires and Puzzles comps!  Indiana is definitely Wu Kong. 

The University of Michigan,  with the largest stadium in the country for fans, now actively discourages fan interest in football.

So you're saying there's not much of a chance?

I get it. Last year was a shitshow and the way the QB situation was handled was reason enough to fire everybody--there literally are no words for that.

That being said, last season threw curveballs to everyone and I don't think that fits Harbaugh's wheelhouse. This year should be relatively normal on the pandemic front which will help. I still think this team grinds to 8-4 with a fanbase miserable the entire way through it. 

Phil Martelli as a world-weary Philly cop who just wants to find the best cheesesteak in town before his retirement but gets looped into investigating an underground ring of psychotic dolphin merchants?

Tony Luke's Pork Italian Rabe FTW all day, every day.

Would Mike DeBord have been a better or worse hire than Ron English in 2007?

I don't know why you are the manager of my time, but since I will click on your posts even if they are obviously trash, please keep them short.

I waited 3 years for DCaf to be the starting QB and expected great things from a fiery competitor. Now he AND Milton are gone having made no mark on the program. I like Cade but just can’t believe this is where we are at the position that is Harbaugh’s strong point (2 freshman and a transfer).  And while Warde saved a lot of buyout money for Harbaugh’s new contract, what will the buyouts of all the new coaches cost if Harbaugh is let go? The path forward is not clear. 

I'd love a good post on the MGoBloggers pre-game, in-game and post-game rituals during football season.

I consider myself a narcissistic, doom and gloom fan who believes UM has a chance to lose even when up by 3 TDs and a FG (not lately of course). So I pray to lots of gods and not all of them are heavenly. A few sacrifices and Friday night seance/summoning to Fielding Yost used to turn up wins. Now my weekend rituals when it comes to football are just weird. You could make a real human-interest story out of it.

I supported the AD's decision to renegotiate Harbaugh's salary last year because firing Harbaugh last year would have been untenable during the pandemic (and resulting very strange season) and after the AD was forced to lay off numerous employees.  Texas may do that sort of thing, but Michigan does not, and should not.

This year, the AD should be looking to position Michigan football for an elite future.  It's plain to everyone that Harbaugh has had ample opportunity to do that; this should be his last chance to demonstrate that he has done so (and it appears very strongly that he's done nothing of the sort).  Unless the team's performance is unexpectedly competent, the AD should start fresh the day after regular season ends, whether or not there is a bowl game.

I say all of the above as someone who likes Harbaugh and respects him for everything he has done.  But the idea that we head into season after season with an expectation of mediocrity is highly problematic at a school that otherwise continually aspires and frequently achieves greatness.