Michigan Players Sitting Out the Bowl: Appreciation Thread

Submitted by boliver46 on December 18th, 2018 at 1:26 PM

I have seen some speculation as to which players are planning to sit out the bowl.

Based on that speculation, I have seen a TON of negativity aimed at those players.

I would like us to take a moment and just APPRECIATE what they have done for the University!

All of the hard work, blood, sweat, and yes TEARS they have shed to play a GAME that provides us with entertainment!

Can I get an Amen??  (Not religious just looking for some sort of affirmation from the masses!)

#GOBLUE

Image result for go blue

JFW

December 18th, 2018 at 3:59 PM ^

We aren't a realistic fanbase. 

We were 46-42 in the previous 7 years before Harbaugh. Recruiting was spotty. Development was a bloody mess. We had Brandon. We still lost to OSU, and got frankly brutalized by MSU. 

We were anything but a powerhouse. 

Even before then, when we won, we won because the rest of the conference wasn't as hard as it is now. Our last B1G title was in '04, and we were 9-3. 

But people expect national titles like we are 'Bama or Clemson. 

We may get there someday. But its a long hard road, especially if we don't bend the rules (And I don't want that). 

In the meantime, 3 10 win seasons is an amazing turnaround. I loved watching Shae this year. I loved watching the D. I loved how the O line developed. 

But because a significant portion of us expect more success than is realistic, they are baseline unhappy. And any negative news is interpreted in the worst way. 

I'm happy where we are at, and think we have brighter things in the future. 

 

JFW

December 18th, 2018 at 3:59 PM ^

We aren't a realistic fanbase. 

We were 46-42 in the previous 7 years before Harbaugh. Recruiting was spotty. Development was a bloody mess. We had Brandon. We still lost to OSU, and got frankly brutalized by MSU. 

We were anything but a powerhouse. 

Even before then, when we won, we won because the rest of the conference wasn't as hard as it is now. Our last B1G title was in '04, and we were 9-3. 

But people expect national titles like we are 'Bama or Clemson. 

We may get there someday. But its a long hard road, especially if we don't bend the rules (And I don't want that). 

In the meantime, 3 10 win seasons is an amazing turnaround. I loved watching Shae this year. I loved watching the D. I loved how the O line developed. 

But because a significant portion of us expect more success than is realistic, they are baseline unhappy. And any negative news is interpreted in the worst way. 

I'm happy where we are at, and think we have brighter things in the future. 

 

Surveillance Doe

December 18th, 2018 at 4:22 PM ^

Yeah, as I said, my frustrations do not primarily come directly from the teams representing the university. If I'm being really honest with myself, though, it's a much more complicated situation than just pointing at the fan base and saying, "We aren't realistic."

If you want to tell me that, in three out of the last four years, we have finished with at least 10 wins (could be more this season) and a ranking in the top 12, I can nod in agreement and say we should be very happy considering where we were prior to Harbaugh's arrival. I have no problem with that. We are way better off than we were, and we should be grateful for that.

At the same time, what the fuck happened in Columbus? Like really, what the fuck? And why are promising players in positions of need with clear paths to the field transferring out?

So yeah, I can agree that the fans aren't realistic, and that makes places like MGoBlog tough, especially when things aren't going perfectly, as many expect, fair or not. At the same time, I can't plug my ears, repeat "10 wins" (three times), and completely ignore the sky-is-falling crowd--as much as I might prefer to do that--because I'm not sitting here without questions of my own. 

JFW

December 18th, 2018 at 3:59 PM ^

We aren't a realistic fanbase. 

We were 46-42 in the previous 7 years before Harbaugh. Recruiting was spotty. Development was a bloody mess. We had Brandon. We still lost to OSU, and got frankly brutalized by MSU. 

We were anything but a powerhouse. 

Even before then, when we won, we won because the rest of the conference wasn't as hard as it is now. Our last B1G title was in '04, and we were 9-3. 

But people expect national titles like we are 'Bama or Clemson. 

We may get there someday. But its a long hard road, especially if we don't bend the rules (And I don't want that). 

In the meantime, 3 10 win seasons is an amazing turnaround. I loved watching Shae this year. I loved watching the D. I loved how the O line developed. 

But because a significant portion of us expect more success than is realistic, they are baseline unhappy. And any negative news is interpreted in the worst way. 

I'm happy where we are at, and think we have brighter things in the future. 

 

crg

December 18th, 2018 at 1:38 PM ^

Happy that the players are able to move on with their careers, but sad to see that they choose to do so at the expense of their teammates.

othernel

December 18th, 2018 at 1:39 PM ^

Exactly. People complaining about players sitting out the bowl are trying to treat the symptom, not the cause. 

Bowl games outside of MNC/BCS/Playoff bowls have always been exhibitions. It's true, gramps. All those Rose Bowls, wonderful, amazing memories. But ultimately, exhibitions. 

This trend is going to continue, more players will sit out, and bowls will ultimately because ultra-early pre-season games where you can give freshman and redshirts some snaps. 

Also, you can love your university and teammates and sit out the bowl. Remember, the reason we all went to college was to build a foundation for our future careers.

I love Ann Arbor, but as soon as I got my degree, I left because I had a job to start and extreme bills to pay. If you would have said to me, stay another semester since you love the university, but you may risk that job offer than you spent the last four years working for, I would have told you to shove it. 

 

crg

December 18th, 2018 at 1:43 PM ^

Yes - bowl games have always been exhibitions.  Funny enough, this never stopped NFL-bound players from participating until recently.  It was almost like they wanted to enjoy one more outing with their friends and teammates in a nice warm vacation environment.  Go figure.

Gameboy

December 18th, 2018 at 1:57 PM ^

Yeah and people used to keep their own hot-takes to themselves instead of publishing it where the whole world can see it. 

Times change, people's behavior change. 

Bowl games are meaningless. I only care about the additional practice time, which means the seniors and those going to NFL can sit out. If we lose a game because of it, so be it. Not sure why these kids need to risk a lot of money so that some random bowl executive can make a million just for arranging a single game.

Reggie Dunlop

December 18th, 2018 at 3:23 PM ^

You agree it's meaningless, but would like to remove the meaning of it as it relates to annual record.

So you're saying it has meaning.

Thank you for perfectly illustrating how counterintuitive this all is. The 2018 Michigan Wolverines have a game left on the schedule. That game counts. I'd expect the 2018 Michigan Wolverines to participate. Disagreeing with that very simple black-and-white concept is something I can't reconcile.

Gameboy

December 18th, 2018 at 3:34 PM ^

Let me REALLY blow your mind!

There are PROS, who get PAID MLLIONS to PLAY THE GAME, that sit out regular season games just to save themselves from getting too tired/injured for the playoffs. THE THIEVES!!! You would think there would be a riot from the fans when they learn about th... oh, fans don't care? Cool.

Why can't college players who don't even get paid do the same?

Beilein 4 Life

December 18th, 2018 at 2:00 PM ^

Michigan has always been picked over other teams for certain bowls because it’s known we travel well. I can’t help think that if the players start treating these games like exhibitions and sit them out, the fans will stop caring about them as much. Slippery slope and all, but when will we start to become MSU where no one cares about football unless we are competing for a B10 championship/national championship? And for those who are just positive that we have so many die-hard fans that traveling to bowl games and selling out our stadium won’t be a problem, then isn’t players sitting out a big “fuck you” to anyone that pays to watch them and a bigger “fuck you” to anyone on the team that isn’t going to get drafted?

True Blue Grit

December 18th, 2018 at 2:20 PM ^

Yes, it's going to get much harder for the Alumni Association and Athletic Ticket office to convince people to spend upwards of several thousand dollars to go support the team in a non-CFP bowl game that's a glorified exhibition.  I wouldn't be wild as it stands now to go down to the Peach Bowl when 5 or 6 of our best players won't be playing.  Call me a bad fan if you want.  But I have a hard time adjusting to the new reality where winning the bowl game doesn't really matter.  

BlueUPer

December 18th, 2018 at 1:40 PM ^

Greatly appreciate and respect the efforts of all our of players. 

Should the results of the Bowl games count on a coach's record....outside of the CFP?

northernmich

December 18th, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^

These guys can do whatever they want. They have the right to live their lives however they please. Who am I, a guy that didn’t play college football, dedicate my entire life between the ages of 18-22 to a program and go through the grueling schedule and regime they did, to tell them they have to play one more game because I want to be able to brag and feel good about myself? All the guys that are gonna sit out are gonna get drafted, to have their dream to play in the NFL be so close to happening and one play could derail everything. I mean they have the chance to paid the next couple of years to play football!!! How many of your guys dreams was it to be able to do that?? Let’s see the next generation of guys play and that hopefully they will bring us what we all want, a Big Ten and National Championship.

bluebyyou

December 18th, 2018 at 3:41 PM ^

Who am I to say?  I'm the alum that buys the four season tickets along with the now non-deductible seat license who helps support the players' time at Michigan as well as providing support for Michigan athletics.

I guess that old concept of team is no longer valid. 

Forget the 60-70K in scholarship money these guys received this year along and the staggering sum per player that is spent on coaching, nutrition and player development, probably well over150K+.  

The quid pro quo from where I sit is that if you don't want to play, then pay the money back. No one had to come here and receive this training, to say nothing about getting an education, and have the opportunity to make a lot more money in the short terms than most new Michigan grads expect to receive.

Buy insurance if you must, but play the game. 

oHOWiHATEohioSTATE

December 18th, 2018 at 1:45 PM ^

How are bowl games anymore meaningless than non-conference games? Or even conference games once a team has been eliminated from a conference title? Just a question? That being said I don't have a huge problem with players sitting our these bowl games.

bluebyyou

December 18th, 2018 at 3:52 PM ^

So, are you suggesting they received nothing of value. Did you forget their scholarships and training expenses?  How about their careers in the NFL? Did they not receive any pleasure from playing in front of the largest crowd in the US seven times each fall?

yossarians tree

December 18th, 2018 at 1:48 PM ^

In every other sport if you don't make the playoffs your season is over. Why should it be any different for college football? Because a bunch of fat insurance salesman in ugly jackets from the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce want to make a bunch of money off a football game they want you to play in?

If it really, really bothers you that guys are sitting out these meaningless exhibition games, you need to check your perspective.