Anxiety Levels are High Going into The Game for both UM and OSU fans (poll results)

Submitted by SpikeFan2016 on

Like most of you, I have been unable to focus on much else besides The Game this week; while perusing various OSU and UM websites, I found two interesting polls (one conducted by each fanbase) to detail anxiety levels for The Game. The scales/questions were not identical, but it's interesting to see responses from both sides of this great rivalry given both polls had large sample sizes. 


First, the enemies (http://www.elevenwarriors.com/polls/2016/11/nervousness-for-the-game). Eleven Warriors conducted a poll measuring "Nervousness for The Game" (3,208 respondents)

  • 32% of Buckeye fans say they are "Extremely" nervous
  • 49% of Buckeye fans describe themselves as "Moderately" nervous 
  • 13% of Buckeye fans are "A Little" nervous. 
  • Only 5% of Buckeye fans say they are not nervous. 

Maize n Brew's poll had 2,732 responses; the question asked about "Confidence" instead of nerves. You can still vote at the following link: (http://www.maizenbrew.com/2016/11/21/13625024/michigan-wolverines-ohio-state-buckeyes-so-how-confident-do-you-feel-about-the-game)

  • 3% of Michigan fans say they are "Very Confident"
  • 7% describe themselves as "Confident" 
  • 45% of Wolverine fans describe themselves as "Optimistic"
  • 25% of UM fans are "Definitely Getting Worried"
  • 17% of us are "Very Worried"
  • 2% of Michigan fans are so hopeless they are having an "Existential Crisis"

Overall, Michigan fans seem more nervous/less confident on the aggregate which makes sense given recent history, home field disadvantage and that we have the most significant injury of either side going into The Game. However, both fan bases are definitely on edge, given over 70% of Buckeye fans are at least moderately nervous.

We are finally back to the way things should be for this great rivalry: tensions and stakes high for both sides. 

Blue Carcajou

November 22nd, 2016 at 1:34 PM ^

There's something about this year... I've never cried over this but I feel like I might be in tears if we go down there and get demolished.

I just... can't. fucking. take another loss.

Ryno2317

November 22nd, 2016 at 1:45 PM ^

We will not get demolished this year.  Unlike previous years, the talent level this year is fairly even regardless of whether Wilton can play.  In addition, they are very young where it matters and we should be able to prevent them from scoring like they did in years past.  Not saying we are going to win, however, I think this one should be close. 

Crime Reporter

November 22nd, 2016 at 1:57 PM ^

Regrettably, I will (probably) not watch it.

My body already deals with enough daily stress from the job, lack of sleep, toddler, that I do not think it wise for me to subject myself to a live viewing.

Personally, I have been going over this game in my mind every night the last two weeks. There isn't much else to do while rocking a 1-year-old to sleep in a room filled with soothing white noise. I've dreamt about it, too (very scary thought).

We can win, but I'm afraid. My wife says it's "just a game." Not to me. It's personal. For whatever reason, I have held onto this belief, this obsession, since I was a little boy in the late-80s. I don't know why.

bdneely4

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:37 PM ^

You just described me.  I have told myself for the pasdt decade that I am not going to watch the game, but I lack self control and end up watching it.  I guess I always convince myself that if this game is the one we win, I will have wanted to watch it live.  

Go Blue!

Sopwith

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:59 AM ^

I feel ya, dog. I'm definitely watching, but I refuse to watch with other humans around. I can't bear conversation or human interaction during The Game. I'm too tense and apt to bite someone's head off (and I'm talking Michigan fans; the idea of watching while in the company of OSU fans, as some on this board have done, is totally beyond my comprehension).

It's a pathology. MGoBlog is my support group.




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MGB

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:00 PM ^

Same here. I know I'm suppose to be nervous.. I know there's still questions about who our qb will be.. I know we've struggled the past couple weeks.. But I can't help feeling that this year will be different. That we will all be pleasantly surprised. This year, it will be our guys who make the big plays, break the long runs, force the key turnover. I don't know, I just feel it. I'm really excited for this game. I have hope in Harbaugh and Don Brown. I think they've got something nice in store for us.

I Hate Buckeyes

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:48 PM ^

I just feel we are due for a win Columbus and also think our seniors will be able to make more plays in the end. I also think having Harbaugh as our coach helps too. He has been there and done that (literally). If they can weather the storm and keep their emotions in check, the boys have a great shot to pull off a win.




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Tbone67

November 22nd, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^

LIke i mentioned in a previous post, i believe if we play the entire game to win instead of playing not to lose we will come out with victory. That includes the play calling and the attitude on the field. regardless of who the QB is they need to take command of the offense with full confidence of being able to move the ball down the field.

GO BLUE!

blueblueblue

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:11 PM ^

What does this even mean? I take you at your word that, in a previous post, you spouted off this abstract, meaningless absurdity. Congratulations. Now stop it. 

Can you imagine Harbaugh's reaction if a reporter asked him if he was going to play to win instead of playing not to lose? He would probably end the press conference right there. 

GoBlue in Cbus

November 22nd, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^

All the local sports radio guys down here are already talking about tosu playoff chances WHEN they beat us.  I've never wanted to feed crow to these blowhards as much as I do this year.  Let's get it done!  GO BLUE!

CLord

November 22nd, 2016 at 1:50 PM ^

Buckeyes have no right to be nervous.  Give your rival a chance once a decade already.  On our end, yeah.  I won't watch the game live as that will age me too much.  I'll wait to see the score then watch the DVR of the game after knowing the results.   Much easier to extend my life expectancy.

Winter_is_coming

November 22nd, 2016 at 1:57 PM ^

It's kind of crazy that so many of us in this sports crazy culture, including me at times, wrap up our emotional health on the outcome of a game played by 18-22 year olds.

If you think about, sports are supposed to be fun. But do we actually view watching Michigan play as "fun" or as an excruciating trial where our very identity is being tested? Especially if they don't perform to our standards.

In just observing our message boards during games, or living here in the midst of the OSU fanbase for the past decade, it feels like it's much more than that, like it's life or death. There is so much angst, anger, hate, and pride revolving around sports. Is it because so many of us wrap up our inherent identity in our team and it's performance? And if anything threatens that identity, whether an taunting OSU fan, or a poor performance by our team, we are either personally defensive and/or devastated emotionally. Why is it like that? Is it supposed to be that way?

Now this obviously doesn't apply to everyone, but clearly as this poll suggests, there are many that may fall into category.

Sorry for the pontification. This post got me in a philosophical mood.

CLord

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:27 PM ^

You are right.  Once I got engaged/married and about half of the things I enjoyed doing had to cease (namely, many things associated with the pursuit of the opposite gender) there was a vacuum to fill and in swept Michigan football.  Always loved the team, but have found my passion to magnify exponentially post-marriage.  Weird.  Now in my 40's anxiety is a real grapple, and thus I try to limit it.  One technique I have found is as I said, don't watch a game live, DVR it, find out the score, then watch in a relaxed manner after the fact already knowing the results.  Far less stress.  Shitty thing to do as a fan I know, but life expectancy trumps fan quality.

Winter_is_coming

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:57 PM ^

I'll have to adopt your DVR method, sounds a lot less stressful! I'll just need to self-induce a 3 hour coma as well.

But that's interesting. I think that's everyone's journey in life. Trying to fill the void that will ultimately satisfy and never disappoint. Unfortunately the worship of Michigan football probably isn't it. Since they will disappoint (in the form of 1 point losses to Iowa). And even the ecstasy of success is probably fleeting (i.e. National Championship). I don't see OSU fans down here with inner peace or joy even though they got one recently. They just want more because one wasn't enough. It all seems insufficient.

Jack Hammer

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:00 PM ^

I'm doing the dumbest thing I've ever done on Saturday morning.   I agreed to invite over a neighbor couple who are OSU alum and huge fans.   Our kids play well together.   As of now.  They are treating this game like just another year.  They think this will be a fun, semi-serious, social Saturday.  They have no idea what they are walking into.  Assuming we win, everything will be fine.  If the game doesn't go well and they are extremely nice, I will get very anti-social very quickly and everyone will survive.  If the game doesn't go well and they make any comments whatsoever I might end up in jail.  I hate being that guy but this is unavoidable.  This is more personal to me than anything besides the health of my wife and kids.

My name ... is Tim

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:15 PM ^

A good friend of mine from law school went to OSU for two years and is a big fan. I am not sure he takes it as personally as I do (as I have lived and died with UofM from about the age of 4 up to and through my undergrad days there). He has asked me on a few occasions if I am interested in watching with him and I have just politely declined.

I see no upside in these scenarios. Even if we win you will have to tamper your unbridled excitement so as to not appear to be a total asshole (not that anyone here would ever approach "Pride Buckeyes" level). If we lose, you will not want to speak to them even though they will (at least in my case) be conciliatory and respectful. I suggest you bring plenty of smokes and light beers (or whatever self-destructive vices you indulge in) and just prepare to retire to a corner of the property for some alone time if we lose.

Rasmus

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:54 PM ^

If they are lifelong fans who know about football and its history, you should be fine no matter what happens. They will understand your pain.

The problem arises when you have opposing fans in your home who are "cheering" for the other team but don't know shit. They think it's a social event, that everyone's supposed to have fun. It can get quite awkward, because they don't understand why you're upset.

I think I would ask them about it before the game starts -- "Were you football fans as children?" "How did you become an Ohio State fan?" -- at least you can get some sense of how they will respond.

I mean, my father went to USC and would pace around outside the house during games. He was too nervous to watch. We kids would go out and update him on what was going on. The only team he hated to lose to more than Notre Dame was Stanford. So I get it. I'll probably watch most of Saturday's game standing outside the doorway to our living room. But if you've never been exposed to that, you won't understand it.

bdneely4

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:51 PM ^

except I went over to a couples house instead of them coming over to our house.  We all know how that game turned out and I was devastated.  On top of that, I walked up from the basement from where we were watching the game, and they had my infant daughter decked out in an OSU cheerleading outfit.  I will never watch The Game with OSU fans again.  What they thought was a harmless joke (which it was), made my blood boil more than I think it ever has in my life.  I just cannot wait until the day comes that OSU fans are in our position and we are in theirs in regards to the rivalry (I am not old enough to really remember the Cooper Days).  It is going to happen!!!

Go Blue!

Jack Hammer

November 22nd, 2016 at 4:11 PM ^

Unfortunately it was my wife who kind of set up the event.  After 16 years of marriage she still can't comprehend or appreciate the emotional investment of being a Michigan Fan.  But other than that, she's the love of my life.   God I hope we win.  We need to win.  We will win.  Tell me we'll win.

Mongo

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:10 PM ^

Defense wins championships and Michigan's defense will put a ton of fear and doubt into any team. These OSU players watch game film and the underclassman at OSU are not comfortable with this game, that will be for sure. Can their OL really contain our DL? I think we we win that battle by a lot. Can JT put the entire thing on his back and make enough plays to beat an entire elite DB squad focused on the opposite? I think we win that battle. Can our seniors on the OL play like they did in 2nd half of Indiana game and unleash Smith to the OSU secondary? I think they can. Will our special teams keep making winning plays. I think they will.

It is time for these UM seniors to seize the moment. I am definitely confident we have the team to beat OSU in the 'shoe and optimistic for our chances to win this game. Butterflies and excitement are good. Nervousness and apprehension at OSU as apparent from the nature of the their poll also makes me feel good.

So let's strap it on and find out. Go Blue !!!

Ryno2317

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:22 PM ^

Totally agree, except that if we win it will be because of Evans not Smith.  OSU can stop a runner like Smith, however, Evans can give them trouble.  Obviously, Smith will get carry the ball early, but I assume Evans comes in for the change of pace and he can do some damage.  Also, regardless of the QB situation, this game is won or lost on the ground as they have very good DBs.  Run, Run and then more running. 

WilliSC48

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:18 PM ^

I thought we had a pretty solid chance with Speight but seeing O'Korn do the happy dance in the pocket all last Saturday has me extremely worried about our chances.

markusr2007

November 22nd, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^

Harbaugh has already proven he has balls of brass when it comes to throwing on anyone.

If Speight plays, though I kind of doubt that he can, Michigan is going to shell shock that secondary.  If he doesn't play, Michigan is toast and Ohio will load the box with great success.

Ohio State has a good rushing defense (4th in the league).

Buckeyes have only played two manballish teams: Wisconsin and MSU and were outgained and on the ropes in both contests.

In all of Ohio State's tight games,  it was QB JT Barrett has destroyed the opposition with his legs and slipperness. He's a big, fast kid that just won't go down:

Indiana - 137 yards rushing, 1 TD

@Wisconsin - 92 yards rushing, 2 TDs

Northwestern - 71 yards rushing, 0 TDs, but 223 yards passing

@MSU - 105 yrds rushing , 0 TDs



Michigan is by far the toughest defense Ohio State has faced all year - rushing D and passing D. And UM kept rushing QB damage to minimum (vs. Colorado, vs. UCF, vs. Maryland, etc.) because the UM offense got the lead early and piled it on, forcing opponents to throw.

This is why Ohio State fans are nervous. It's a little different than last year.

Theire team is stocked with  very high talent players, but it's a comparatively young team, they've had to throw games on the shoulders of Barrett. That has worked (except @ PSU).  I don't know whether that works vs. Michigan this time around, especially if Ohio OL is holding and giving up sacks in the game.

Michigan is much more experienced across the board - lines, backers, secondary and backfield. It's just so happens that QB is the all important but most rickety piece.

 

I Love Lamp

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:19 PM ^

If I see Wilton under center, my anxiety will rise because I'll expect us to have a shot. If I see JOK, from what I saw last week, my anxiety will disappear because I won't have a whole lot of confidence in the outcome.

bdneely4

November 22nd, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^

just reading this post.  Whenever I read something about The Game my heart starts beating faster.  I hate that I care so much, but I just can't help it.

Go Blue!