This Game is Emphasized
I've heard people question if UofM emphasizes the rivalry with MSU.
Take this anecdotal evidence for what it is worth, but I have a coworker whose son is childhood friends with a player on the team (he doesn't see the field). However, she said that the player told her family that: (A) the team is more motivated for tomorrow's game than he has ever seen for any game before and (B) tomorrow's game has been emphasized clearly by the staff.
Take it for what it is worth, but if we lose I doubt it will be for a lack of effort, heart, and emphasis.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:08 PM ^
Yes, hindsight says that Michigan should've used max protect or maybe not even punted at all. Why not just run a play, a run and if they get the first down, Michigan wins. If they don't, then MSU has a hail mary. Why punt at all?
That being said, 999 times out of 1000, the snap gets caught and the punt happens and the team wins the game.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:17 PM ^
I would have put the offense out there and had Rudock pooch punt out of the shotgun. But it was a freak thing and we're only discussing it because it very improbably went wrong.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:12 PM ^
And no coach coached him what to do should he muff
Or maybe they did and he just panicked. Steve Fisher said "no timeouts" but C-Webb called one anyway.
Max-protect probably wouldn't have made a difference. The rush will get there eventually and he used up a lot of time trying to pick it back up and punt.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:13 PM ^
Too soon. Still way too soon.
October 19th, 2018 at 11:17 PM ^
O’Neill said it was never discussed.
With Michigan punting MSU had two ways to win, hope for a return for a TD or block the punt. We’ll never know if max protect would have worked or not because the players never had the chance to try.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:25 PM ^
2015 was a coaching masterpiece. 2015 MSU was MUCH better than Michigan at that point in the season.
You don’t almost beat a better team with bad coaching.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:38 PM ^
I tend to disagree . Michigan was a 7 point favorite in that game and MSU also outgained them pretty significantly in yardage and first downs
October 19th, 2018 at 8:15 PM ^
Michigan lines are aways weird.
Don't you think the fact that MSU out gained us substantially, yet we were about to win with 1 second left suggests that Harbaugh did a great job managing the game? I think so.
Cook to Burbridge was absolutely unstoppable that game. If Hoke was the coach we loss it by 4 touchdowns.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:04 PM ^
Actually, Burbridge and Jourdan Lewis had a epic confrontation in that game, with each winning and losing some.
October 20th, 2018 at 12:03 AM ^
MSU went to the playoffs that year-it’s hard to argue they weren’t the better team that year and they needed that play to win. Harbaugh outcoached them in 2015. The only reason they outgained us is because our special teams was outstanding and gave us amazing field position the entire game. Unless you want to argue that special teams doesn’t count for coaching
October 19th, 2018 at 6:32 PM ^
When they lose, Sparty will be infantilized.
October 19th, 2018 at 6:33 PM ^
This is my favorite post of the week. ?Go Blue!
October 19th, 2018 at 6:39 PM ^
Wow msu just keeps getting lower and lower. Over on RCMB they have a topic discussing which healthy UM player sparty will injure. What a bunch of fuck faces.
October 19th, 2018 at 6:41 PM ^
Did your coworker's brother's cousin's kid's pal tell you whether or not Gary and Black are playing? Or, are you keeping that shit to yourself?
October 20th, 2018 at 8:09 AM ^
Let me be clear. I don't have an inside source. My coworker probably doesn't even know who Rashan Gary and Tarik Black are. She is only a semi-casual fan, because her son is BFF since elementary school with a player on the team who doesn't see the field. Parents often have a friendship-connection with their kids best friend. She had told me before that her son's best friend had made the team.
So she randomly approached me yesterday and told me the content in my original post. I doubt she is making it up, but I understand any skepticism. However, she likely knows less than you about the team and who is playing, etc...
October 19th, 2018 at 6:45 PM ^
Somewhere a Ferris Buehler quote is fitting.
October 19th, 2018 at 6:50 PM ^
So Stanley Jackson has been saying for a couple of weeks that he believes The Game will determine the B1G East, but today says that MSU will beat UM 21- 17. So he’s essentially saying MSU = ND.
October 19th, 2018 at 6:56 PM ^
Is there a reason you listen to OSU alums, or do you just hate yourself?
October 19th, 2018 at 6:59 PM ^
BTN That and I had knee surgery this AM and so in a narcotic haze. Fingers crossed, no blood clots.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:26 PM ^
Heal well.
October 19th, 2018 at 6:52 PM ^
Ugh. If I had a nickel . . .
October 19th, 2018 at 6:55 PM ^
I hate the smug MSU coach shmork blerti'd'antinoi. He's the worst.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:01 PM ^
The only guy I know that can speak respectfully and you know he’s trolling.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:18 PM ^
Now THIS is emphasized
October 19th, 2018 at 7:25 PM ^
Yeah, I get the feeling that if MSU wants this one, they're gonna have to do it inside the lines with their play, because it's not happening inside the heads with "bush league psyche-out stuff".
October 19th, 2018 at 7:33 PM ^
Either a tight battle with some quirky MSU plays or UM bludgeons them. Hope for the latter, expect the former. MSU has a stout run defense and the weather could mitigate a huge UM advantage in the passing game (typical MSU luck). BPONE says ugh.
I have no inside info, but the vibe indicates a very determined and almost angry group from A2. JH wasted a potential rout in 2016. I will send UM an extra alumni donation if this games turns into a UM rout.
Go Blue.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:45 PM ^
All this psychobabble desire crap is just an excuse. We've failed to beat them not because we haven't prioritized it enough, or wanted it enough, or not spiked enough. We've lost 8 out of the last 10 because MSU has played better. Some times barely—2105—and sometimes by a lot. When we're the consistently better team, we'll beat them consistently.
October 20th, 2018 at 4:53 AM ^
I agree, in general, but 2015 UM played better in almost every aspect (and holistically), but unfortunately the better team doesn't always win. 2017 is a good example of MSU being slightly better on the whole, a that being mainly because of how dreadful the offense (via QB and playcalling) performed.
October 19th, 2018 at 7:45 PM ^
They'll be ready. It's only the fans who are scared.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:41 PM ^
True. Fans have much longer memories, while the players are mostly just aware of their own careers. Players have been busy preparing and building confidence, while fans have just a lot of nervous idle time to worry about things.
October 19th, 2018 at 8:13 PM ^
What's your deal?
October 19th, 2018 at 8:14 PM ^
Well I know from talking to players during sparty week in 2015 that they didn't emphasise it that year. They don't want us to get too up or down, every game is important, they want us to treat each game as a business trip. That's what I was told.
I haven't heard any specific inside info about if that attitude had changed since then, but frequent public statements from Jim prior to this week have echoed those sentiments.
Also, in the summer before the 2017season a player that had been here a year and a half or so asked me why it seemed like the fans cared so much about Ohio State? I know it's a rivalry but it seems like it matters more to people than the whole season, like they'd rather beat them than win the Big or go to the playoffs but lose to them, I don't get it. Can you explain it to me? Why is it such a big thing?
He's not from the midwest, but wtf? He was highly recruited by them too BTW. I mean do you think I'd have to explain the deep hatred and intensity of of the OSU rivalry to one of Bo's boys that had been through 2 off seasons and a season already? I couldn't believed it!
I'm glad it sounds like it's different now. Next time I get a chance I'll ask someone about it.
October 19th, 2018 at 8:26 PM ^
If we lose then Brian will melt into his seat. I don't expect a loss but over the past 10 seasons I have learned to fear for the worst and hope for the best.
October 19th, 2018 at 8:46 PM ^
Good. I just hope they can control their aggressiveness and not pick up silly targeting calls. Looking at you Bush and Hudson...
October 19th, 2018 at 9:07 PM ^
IMO, the first positive sign is Michigan runs out of the tunnel fast and with a ton of emotion. Jumping, chest bumping, etc. Then play like their hair is on fire. We need an early lead on the turds. Then just pour the shit on like there's no tomorrow. Don't give MSU a chance.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:15 PM ^
Well, we'll know by about 3 PM, won't we?
October 19th, 2018 at 9:31 PM ^
You really have a way with words. Have you considered working part-time as a writer for this site?
October 19th, 2018 at 10:29 PM ^
I'll keep it short.
As Brian alluded, we are getting close to a good / very good offense. For sanity (board is way too tight preceding the MSU game in their garbage stadium) consider that major "playmakers" are usually Juniors and Seniors. Shocking, I know. But lets look at offensive players such as Felton Davis, their other receiver (Stewart?), Lewerke, LJ "ran the light" Scott - they are are all from 2015 class. You can extend this logic to ND where Wimbush and their Jumbotron Miles "throw it up i'll catch" Boykins are 2013 or 2014 commits.
2015 M class had such luminaries are Brian Cole (who? where?), Newsome (love you big man...F whoever on Wisconsin did that to him), Ulizio etc.
You get the idea. Where am I going with this? Well #wearestillyoung is still true. Upper level QBs and WRs are just better. However, the Juggernaut is just beginning (on offense for sure - Defense has been great with seasoned recruits). I fully expect end of this year and next year to be steam rolling fools and passing game to be much mature and lethal.
Beat state and GO BLUE!
October 19th, 2018 at 10:30 PM ^
This game has a different feel to it than usual.
It's not complacent like Michigan has sometimes gotten, it's not fearful like Michigan has sometimes gotten.
It feels focused and determined.
October 19th, 2018 at 11:59 PM ^
Just in case disaster does happen for you guys in EL (not predicting it will), keep in mind that Michigan is capable of winning out which means they would still win the division and play in the program's first B1G championship game.
A loss doesn't crush the entire season. So if bad things happen, don't jump overboard. Stay on the ship. There's plenty more season ahead.
October 20th, 2018 at 1:18 AM ^
LoL. A sane buckeye with a lot of M fans melting down. Thanks for the reminder but don't think we can control our emotions.
October 20th, 2018 at 2:37 AM ^
Nowhere near disaster, only half way through the season plus we already have a loss.
Now if UofM was undefeated, ranked #2, had the inside track to the CFP and, than got upset by Sparty 17-14 in November.
Now that would be a disaster!
Lol
October 20th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
Yes...that describes the disaster I experienced several times in the 1990s.