What this win means to me
I've been trying to sum up the flood of incredible emotions that surrounded yesterday's win and I needed an outlet to express these emotions because the feeling is so very unique for me in my 30+ years of being a sports fan. I've seen my pro teams win a championship in every sport, I've seen Michigan basketball go to the title game twice. All thrilling, all wonderful, but nothing quite like what I experienced yesterday.
For years now, its always felt like there is this glass ceiling surrounding Michigan football. The concept of beating Ohio State with everything on the line and making the playoffs just seemed unobtainable. I'd see experts speculate about who was going to make the BCS or CFP every year and while I never lost hope, I could just never quite visualize Michigan actually being in that exclusive club. I couldn't even imagine playing in Indy. Why? Because there was always that barrier - Ohio State. With their smugness and their superiority complex and their 'we win because we focus on the game 365 days a year' BS. And they won...every single year. Even when we did win, it was one of Michigan's better teams playing the one bad Ohio State team this millennium at home and even still they were driving for the winning score late. It was a struggle even when all the chips were stacked toward us. Every year I would convince myself we had a shot, and every year I would be denied. The last couple of years OSU was basically our daddy. I couldn't bring myself to have playful back and forth with fans... in fact when I saw an OSU fan I would do anything to avoid talking sports. I was battered down and beaten. It felt like Michigan was the joke of the football world, we'd build ourselves up and have great moments then get batted down in the biggest games and literally everyone would laugh at us. Sad Michigan Fan became a meme that would add more laughs every year.
Just when things started looking as dark as ever, this season started. The team was different...you could just sense it from spring practice to the opener against NIU. Yes they had a similar feeling to them in 2018, but even compared to that the team collectively held themselves higher. No heads down when things didn't go their way, they just picked themselves up and kept on going. But even still, even though I again gave myself hope that we could beat Ohio State, I just couldn't visualize what we saw yesterday. I couldn't imagine winning and playing in Indy and hopefully playing in the playoffs. The glass ceiling was still there in my mind.
When Michigan scored the first TD, I reminded myself that Michigan had scored first in 3 of the previous 4 games. When Michigan was up 15 going into the 4th I kept finding parallels like being up 10 in the 4th in 2016. I had hope but I couldn't believe. But they just kept pushing. Every time an opportunity presented itself for Michigan to fold, they shoved it down OSU's throats. Every time they got within one score they just calmly won the battle in the trenches and scored another TD. There were no panicked 3 and outs, only first downs. The clock kept ticking, and finally it happened. They won. What happened afterwards was the most cathartic thing I've ever experienced in sports. Jubilation, relief, one big celebration.
And now I'm reading CFP predictions and I'm seeing Michigan being listed in all of them, many of them predicting that we play in the National Championship game. Us, Michigan in the championship game. The team that couldn't beat our rivals, the team that folded when it mattered most. There are no more jokes, just praise.
Yes I'm putting the cart before the horse. We have one more game to win. Iowa is tough as hell. It will be a challenge. We could lose and this whole post looks stupid. But I find a sense of confidence in this team. For once I feel like our strengths will allow us to win the game, not something that will be neutralized by a talented opponent. My frozen heart has thawed. Thank you to all of the coaches and student-athletes that refused to let past failures define them. Thank you for this win. Thank you to all the fans who kept the faith that was finally rewarded yesterday. Go Blue!
November 28th, 2021 at 9:43 PM ^
Great stuff. I can relate with all of it. Especially after 2018, it was just this feeling of doom. If we couldn't avoid getting blown out when favored to win The Game, then what? This team did seem different and I had a good feeling going into yesterday; it still felt surreal as they kept piling on and kept looking like the more prepared, more focused, more disciplined and straight up better team. When the clock ran out, I literally didn't know what to do with myself. I still don't really, it's still sinking in that *they did it*. Man, it feels good.
November 29th, 2021 at 7:53 PM ^
Yup. +1
November 28th, 2021 at 9:46 PM ^
Great post
I have ignored the entire playoffs and never watched a Minute of a big ten football championship game, have been waiting all these years for Michigan to get there.
now it is finally a reality, we beat the hated buckeyes
the cheaters who’s players don’t even bother with going to class
the Uber talented team who couldn’t lose
we beat them finally And I loved it, can’t get enough replays and interviews
Beat Iowa!!!
November 28th, 2021 at 11:08 PM ^
It's kind of disorienting to be honest. I am so used to being depressed for a day or so after a loss in the final regular season game, then focusing attention on the holidays, only mildly interested when the bowl matchups are announced.
This basking in the warm glow while having real concern about the game this weekend and then the next couple that could come after are making it real difficult to think about pulling out Christmas stuff and think about holiday gifts, how to spend NYE, etc.
November 28th, 2021 at 11:12 PM ^
Definitely. I was not prepared to be getting pumped up for another game this weekend, nor was I prepared to spend the entire rest of the day watching football and flipping through games when they hit halftime so I could hear analysis of the Michigan game.
Some of those rivalries played later in the day are actually pretty good! Never knew it because Ohio State day is usually doom and gloom so I tune out football.
November 28th, 2021 at 11:13 PM ^
Past is prologue. But it is not the story.
November 28th, 2021 at 11:50 PM ^
This meant a lot to me personally as well.
5 years ago this game was a big day. We'd recently moved into our current house. Wife & son were away for the weekend and I spent the game in our basement in front of the TV and scrambling to open boxes & organize stuff during breaks.
Sometime in the 3rd Q during a commercial break I scrambled upstairs fill a cupboard with stuff. On the way downstairs I fell and broke my left arm. I was in a *lot* of pain. While trying to get wife on the phone I watched the game and tried to figure out what I could and couldn't do. Took me awhile to figure out the pain was getting worse and it was limiting my mobility.
Had to call for an ambulance to take me to the hospital ER. They arrived late in the 4th. After a few minutes they figured the best way to get me up and out of the basement was to give me a shot of fentanyl. They told me it would act very fast, and last only 5 minutes. We'd have to hustle.
I asked to wait a couple minutes to see we could pull out the win. Told them the pain and recovery would be worth it if we could pull off the win and end the misery. That didn't happen.
The episode led to me making comprehensive changes in my life to get healthier as I hit the last years of middle age. I'm stronger and healthier than I've been in a long time. And I'm only getting better. But that day is etched in my mind. I needed to see a win over OSU to finish this chapter in my life. I made progress. I needed my favorite team to join me.
This past Wednesday morning my 82-year old mom died, after a decline that started just a few days into the pandemic (she kicked COVID's ass along the way) in March 2020.
On Thursday we had a small, muted family "celebration". We were to attend a big extended family shindig on Friday. By Wednesday night that became impossible as our 19-yo son came down with a cold.
I needed a jolt.
Thursday afternoon I set a new deadlift single PR and felt a lot better. It was symbolic of my effort to take advantage of what I've learned from my watching my mom & dad pass away (dad died nearly 19 years ago to the day my mom did).
Football is small potatoes against this backdrop of course. But I needed it anyway. Watching the fans take the field in victory was a sweet, sweet release.
This chapter in my life isn't *quite* over. There's still plenty of mourning. Mom's got some surprises in store for the grandkids. I have a sweet round PR deadlift single I've been training towards all year and the plan is to hit it two days before Xmas.
Thank you to Hutch and all the boys. Beat Iowa. Let's fucking go!
November 29th, 2021 at 12:00 AM ^
I’m so sorry for your loss. Appreciate the story though, we all needed this win in different ways so it’s great to see how it’s effected everyone. Go Blue!
November 29th, 2021 at 12:17 AM ^
Hey, thank *you* for giving me a suitable place to put this.
As a postscript, I should mention that when needed fentanyl is an AWESOME drug. About 30 seconds after the shot I popped up off the floor like a jack-in-the-box. Climbed the stairs under my own power and conversed in the King's English like I was Alistair Cooke.
November 29th, 2021 at 1:16 AM ^
This has been a difficult year for me to process. So many narratives have been destroyed (other than the maddening loss against MUS). To me, this team has never looked truly dominant - certainly not a playoff team that they absolutely will be if they win against Iowa. I felt like we lost a HUGE opportunity with that 2016 team. Jesus H was that D lethal. They had weapons all over the place on offense too. That was a star-studded team that, in the end, under-performed. I feel like this team is the exact opposite - over-performing, at least to an extent, given the talent they have. Yet, here we are.
One game at a time. Beat Iowa. They are 10-2. They have flaws but have been great at scheming around those flaws (just like MSU has been able to do with their pass-D).
One game at a time. I will say that I am shocked by how many players have developed after last season and over the course of this season. Our D-backs were mostly able to run with that ridiculous stable of OSU receivers.
November 29th, 2021 at 1:47 AM ^
I see what you are getting at but I kind of disagree. Other than the Rutgers and MSU games (and maybe Nebraska but they play everyone close) the team has dominated the games they played pretty thoroughly. They win with defense and the run game so it’s not always going to look pretty. Cade is not going to win a big game with his arm, I get that, but very few teams have been able to slow down Michigan from playing its game. I don’t care about the number of stars their roster has, they’ve developed into a talented team.
No I don’t think they can beat Georgia, but give me anyone else in the country and I think they have at least a chance to win
November 29th, 2021 at 8:33 AM ^
November 29th, 2021 at 9:23 AM ^
Meaning #1
I was a Boy Scout usher at the 1969 Ohio State game. This win reminded me of that game and choked me up thinking of my late father and late best friend who were also at the 1969 game. At 66 years old I would pay a Jimmy Sexton level contract to have watched this 2021 game with my father & best friend.
Meaning #2
The fight, toughness and togetherness of this team.
Meaning #3
From the beginning the myth of Michigan Stadium not being loud was exposed as incorrect.
Meaning # 4
Giving up 2,054 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns and 70% completion rate in last 5 games for that team up the road: Does that make a program soft? Asking for a Coach who is a legend at the bank.
November 29th, 2021 at 9:26 AM ^
Nice post. I feel it. Saturday my daughters who love Michigan and Ann Arbor were home. They were old enough to enjoy watching football after the John Cooper era, and my oldest cried watching the 2006. We have had some great times together at the Big House. I burned a ton of energy on every play watching and listening to Brandy and Dierdorf's final broadcast from Michigan stadium. Each play felt so significant. We all had a such a blast. I was so glad to finally see their fandom for Michigan rewarded in the way it was Saturday. We are on countdown mode to next Saturday. This team is special. I am very happy for all of you who experienced joy Saturday and we did. Beat Iowa. Win the game. Go Blue. !
November 29th, 2021 at 10:10 AM ^
Not gonna lie, 2016 was my breaking point. My hope died after that screw job. It's definitely easy to believe in this team and this season again, and maybe even the rivalry overall. I've upgraded to cautious optimism.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:55 AM ^
Even IF we lose to Iowa. (I pray we don't) - I won't entertain the narrative "we failed" in any way.
Beating ohio st like that is a legendary / program win.
We can enjoy it for a few days without apologizing for feeling happy about it.
Go Blue.
November 29th, 2021 at 6:21 PM ^
Brian I am old and lazy but found the energy to log in. I just want to thank you for your writing and I wish you peace and happiness wherever you can find it. On to Indy................
November 29th, 2021 at 11:54 PM ^
Harbaugh should have won the 2016 game. I hope the beating OSU has buried bpone and once the playoff are expanded Michigan will be making them more often than not. I think eventually Michigan will go back splitting The Game with OSU and we may even take a win advantage for a decade ourselves. Things always seem to run in cycles. I think the team is hungry and will do well against IA. The team I did not want to play was WI because they would have that revenge motivation. MN may even be a tougher test than IA. I just hope the team plays hard and wins the B1G! It would be nice to play an easy team in the playoffs like Cincy. May be we can meat GA in the finals and who knows what could happen if the game is close. Time to win a NC, since our last one was already 24 years ago.
November 30th, 2021 at 11:41 AM ^
Yes, I agree that it would be great to tenderize, broil, fry, roast, skewer, and/or slice GA. :)
November 30th, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^
One of the great things about this win is that I don't have to dwell on how that loss would have changed Harbaugh's tenure at Michigan. I mean the loss still sucks and I can't believe it because #jtwasshort but now that Harbaugh has beaten OSU with everything on the line, we can move forward with confidence that our time is here.
December 1st, 2021 at 3:22 PM ^
From the disasters of the 1960s. To the Ten year war and the triumphs of Bo. Through the 80s and 90s to the National Championship. Through the end of Lloyd and the wasteland of RichRod. The longing of hope with Hoke. The coming of Harbaugh as a savior.
Through all those decades, I've seen the lowest depths and the highest peaks of Michigan football. I've never lost faith that the cycle that is college football would return Michigan to dominance. However, I was beginning to wonder if I'd live to see it.
Saturday marked that return. I tasted the sweetness of utter dominance over that school to the south. A taste faint in dusty memory brought fresh again. And DAMN it does taste good!
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