I'm sorry guys...I just can't get excited about this game.
After reading so many posts regarding the excitement building towards the game, I for one can't watch this year.
Michigan football was the first love of my life. Even before I understood what the game of football was, I understood the emotional swings of wins and losses. Why, it's still a family joke - when I was a kid I would storm up the stairs and solk in my room for a hours if Michigan lost. Even then, the success and failures of a few men in winged helmets vastly altered my emotional state.
Through the years I learned the game, played and coached it to the best of my ability; all while my love for Michigan football matured and grew. I got to be pretty even keeled - don't get to high or low for anything. Still, on cool autumn Saturdays I revert back to that 3 year old watching the game. Yasy year was tough but understandable. This year is emotionally draining. That is why I won't be watching the game come Saturday. I don't want to see the hurt on the faces of the players and coaches should we fall short of a victory. I don't want to watch the fans file out as if they just attended a funeral. I don't want to see inconstancies of our offense and defense on national TV as announcers talk of the program as if it’s fallen on ill times and left for dead.
Mostly, I don't want to hear how RichRod needs to be fired, or how he's not a Michigan man or a good fit for the university. I’m tired of a few speaking for the masses judging Michigan football by looking back, not forward. I don't want to hear anymore about predetermined terminations or definitive transfers. Sick and tired of it all – of allegations and lame writers with personal vendettas!
And I'm tired of the heartache endured each week.
It's been a long time since we've felt the warmth of an OSU victory. Nothing would be better than to send the seniors off with their first victory over our arch rivals; everyone with Blue blood deserves it.
But this year, I am taking a rest. Instead, I am going hang with some service men and women and cheer for Army as they play North Texas.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:17 PM ^
You should watch. We are going to win this game.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:33 PM ^
But unfortunately that would make you a fair-weather fan.
So, if that's how you roll, so be it.
Please don't come back and write anything positive, unless you apologize first for your prior wavering loyalty.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:24 PM ^
I've seen every game since 1969. I'm not breaking that streak now.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:04 PM ^
I thought I was the oldest fart here. I was wrong.
And a +1 to you, sir, too.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:17 AM ^
I was 9 yrs. old. My parents left me alone at home, and I just happened upon the game. When my dad got home I found out that he liked Michigan. We bought a newspaper the next day and held up the sports page to an Ohio car we saw on the highway. It turned out to be full of elderly women who had no idea what we were doing.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:36 PM ^
What has the team shown this year that makes you think we will win?
November 19th, 2009 at 3:41 PM ^
"If you don't believe you can win, there is no point in getting out of bed at the end of the day."
November 19th, 2009 at 3:44 PM ^
You get out of bed at the end of the day? Hmmm...weird. Don't most people get out of bed at the beginning of the day? Are you like the grandparents from Willy Wonka?
November 19th, 2009 at 4:00 PM ^
Everything. They have obviously shown you nothing. That is fine with me.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:13 PM ^
If it is everything then you must've been watching another team. I hope they win just as much as the next guy OR girl but you really didn't tell or show me how we may win.
They will win bc I love them and they're my team and they're gonna try really hard. Come on now. At least sack up and tell me how our pass rush is too much for them even if it's not. Give me somethin.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:27 PM ^
I'm going to watch the game and cheer for my team and hope for a miracle, because there is always hope. But to actually say that you expect them to win based on what they've shown us this year is meaningless hot air.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:29 PM ^
A voice of reason.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:40 PM ^
A Jericho reference? OK, you may have won me over with that one.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:00 PM ^
During the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944, the Germans offered terms of surrender to the encircled American forces in the Belgian town of Bastogne. General Anthony McAuliffe responded with "Nuts."
I.e. no surrender, assholes.
I approve of this sentiment, then and now.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:05 PM ^
You are correct, and also more highbrow than I. That story was also referenced in the TV show "Jericho." I connected it with the second-hand pop-culture reference, you went straight to the historical source. Good on ya.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:21 PM ^
You know, I actually enjoyed Jericho. It wasn't anything groundbreaking or amazing, but it was fun to watch.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:09 PM ^
Really? How the fuck does this, or the post above it, get negged? I assume that some dickwads are just negging everything I post on this thread, no matter what the substance? Pathetic.
[Point proven. Get a fucking life]
November 20th, 2009 at 10:59 AM ^
Correct.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:05 PM ^
I was thinking General McAuliffe's response when the Germans had him surrounded at Bastogne and asked him to surrender.
I am trying to figure out who the Army Air Corps and Patton are in this analogy.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:29 PM ^
How about a little respect for his opinion and polite disagreement, Fuzzy? Why so rude? You've been watching The Wire too much, you little hopper...
November 19th, 2009 at 4:07 PM ^
This is a rough crowd. Rough crowd I tell ya.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:43 PM ^
EAT IT
November 19th, 2009 at 4:37 PM ^
put any money on Michigan winning, but I don't think it's out of the question. What have I seen this year?
1. I saw Michigan almost pull out a victory in Iowa City. Iowa took OSU to OT without Ricki Stanzi.
2. I saw OSU struggle against USC and Purdue.
Neither of those spells out a Michigan victory but it's enough to give me hope.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:07 PM ^
"What has the team shown this year that makes you think we will win?"
I just don't get this attitude. How many times has a team won a game that they had no business winning or that people thought they had no chance of winning before the game started? Heck, one of our own prospects (Conelius Jones) lead his team (which has been horrendous this year) to a playoff win over the #21 team in the country. They had shown nothing this year that would make anyone think they would win that game, but they did. Stories like that alone should give any real fan hope that their team can win each and every game they play.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:21 PM ^
But that's kind of exactly the point. Yes, tremendous upsets happen, so there's always a CHANCE that we can win. And that's what I'll be rooting for.
But it's something else entirely to say that you "expect" to win based on what the teams' respective performances this season.
November 20th, 2009 at 9:35 AM ^
"But it's something else entirely to say that you "expect" to win based on what the teams' respective performances this season."
Have you watched many Ohio State games this year, or just looked at the rankings and scores?
November 19th, 2009 at 3:18 PM ^
Thanks for posting another downer. JFC CHEER EVERY FUCKING WEEK!!!!!!
November 19th, 2009 at 3:56 PM ^
One year when I was young I headed to Columbus to see Michigan play Ohio State. Michigan was a good team, nothing great, they had 4 losses at the time. Ohio State on the other hand had then Heisman hopeful Eddie George, was unbeaten and ranked #2 in the country. What did we do? Went in to a hostile environment, shut down George (who won the Heisman) and came out with a win and huge upset.
I know we are not that team from 96' but nor is OSU, they have shown they can be beat. We have shown flashes if some pretty good football. All I ask of you fellow MEEECHEEEgan fans is keep the faith. Do not give up on this team, this coach, this rivalry or this game. WE CAN WIN THIS. It will not be easy, but we have done crazier things in the past. Upset is in the air in AA. GO BLUE!
ALL IN FOR MICHIGAN
November 19th, 2009 at 4:38 PM ^
Michigan had only 3 losses heading into the 1996 game and Eddie George was already in the NFL. Orlando Pace was OSU's Heisman hopeful in 1996. Of all the Michigan wins over Cooper (bless his soul), the '96 win was by far the most improbable. I expected UM to win in 1993 and 1995 when OSU came to AA with top-5 teams. The 1996 game felt like stealing.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:21 PM ^
of these types of posts. what type of responses could possibly come from them?
November 19th, 2009 at 3:29 PM ^
Probably some examples of upsets, followed by "upsets have happened in the past, therefore one will happen on Saturday.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:21 PM ^
We came into that game AT Ohio State big doggies. If you remember, two weeks before that, we lost the "Will Carr" game at Purdue. The following week, we didn't even show up for the game against PSU and that was Senior Day. Nobody thought we would take out Ohio State, even though they had the Rose Bowl locked up and a shot at the national title.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:21 PM ^
I hear your pain and frustration. I agree, at this point, it is best not to balme anyone or anything, but just play.
I wish we could get every M starter so pumped up that they would simply blow OSU off the line on every down. This year, when I watch M, often times, I feel I am way more emotionally geared up for the games then they are. Why is that?
It has caused havoc in my relationships, because if they lose, I pout and sulk until Sunday morning. I go to church for renewal and then I pray that a new story is written the following week.
Will I watch the game Saturday...I may peak a little from time to time. I pace alot, so I may TIVO the game, and then decide later if I want to watch. I know this may sound cowardly, but I am hurting this season.
I love Mich and RR, but I do dislike the losing!
November 19th, 2009 at 4:07 PM ^
You feel so gloomy and depressed that you can't watch? Poor little guy. Season got you down? So you won't watch the most important game your team plays every year? You're an adult so do what you want, but I think that is a pile of crap. I hope the other 108,000 fans in the stadium don't have your same attitude.
I don't believe we'll win, in fact I think it will likely be a blowout, because of that I'm not excited like I might normally be for this game, but I'll be watching and hoping just the same. How can a passionate M fan not? See you around
November 19th, 2009 at 4:30 PM ^
By definition the 108,000 fans in the stadium don't have his attitude. If they did, you know, they wouldn't be in the stadium.
Honestly, if a guy doesn't want to watch the game on TV, I don't think it will hurt the team's morale. I don't think they're inspired by potential Nielsen ratings.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:30 PM ^
Good one!
November 19th, 2009 at 3:22 PM ^
Too bad that the heartache is too much for you. Maybe you'll earn your fandom badge back sometime down the road. Happy trails.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:23 PM ^
Step 1) Listen to Ufer.
Step 2) Repeat as necessary.
You will find at this point your passion for MEEEEEEEECHIGAN football renewed.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:38 PM ^
going to try your prescription, Doc. I will let you know how it goes.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:41 PM ^
And the only perscription, is more Ufer.
(and a bit of cow-bell too for that matter)
November 19th, 2009 at 3:45 PM ^
These hype videos are trash compared to Ufer. If Ufer cannot get you fired up for any Michigan game, let alone the Mich/OSU game, then you aren't a fan.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:55 PM ^
Oh no no no no God no ... Jimmy Smith dropped the ball
November 19th, 2009 at 3:23 PM ^
I don't want to meet the person who doesn't get excited about Michigan football after watching this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZl35RAxerQ
Go Blue!
November 19th, 2009 at 3:42 PM ^
Nice to meet you. I couldn't get past the first minute and a half. How is that supposed to hype me up?
November 19th, 2009 at 4:37 PM ^
Sometimes when you're on, you're really fucking on.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:06 PM ^
i swear to god i hadn't thought of sam mcguffie all season until the first 5 seconds of that video. that's epic. i'm so proud of myself i could burst.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:55 PM ^
Is he a 2010 recruit?
November 19th, 2009 at 3:24 PM ^
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November 19th, 2009 at 3:24 PM ^
Not watching is not an option. When we do win (it has to happen eventually, right?) it will be that much better.