I live in Wisconsin and I understand what the WSJ writer is referring to, but I never understand it. Badger fans have a weird hatred for Michigan football whereas, so far as I know, Wolverine fans merely know that Wisconsin football exists.
This was the most moving and well-written essay I've read in some time. Beautifully, wonderfully written, yet covering such a horrible topic. I have read things on this site that have been hilarious, anger-inducing, cringe-worthy, joyous, you name it. I have never had a co-worker have to ask me "what the heck are you reading" because of my reaction.
I think I speak for all of us that, while we knew the odds, while we knew the medical realities, we didn't stop hoping and praying for a miracle. I am the father of an eight-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy, and when I think of what Jason and Tammi Car went through, what Chad's brothers went through...I wouldn't wish that on my bitterest enemy.
Skeptics will point out that Maryland and Rutgers can’t deliver their television markets, the way Nebraska did. That is true. But the NY–Philly–Washington axis is so heavily populated that it might not matter. If Delany just gets just a decent fraction of it, the conference will make more than it did in Nebraska.
I totally agree.
Nebraska's population is 1.8 million. Let's assume every man, woman and child there tunes into BTN to watch Husker football when their team is on the road. Now compare:
It really doesn't matter if Burkhead plays or not. It doesn't matter how good his back-ups are. All that matters is that Michigan will win.
Mattison will work his magic. Our front seven will do their job and contain Nebraska's running game. Jake Ryan and the rest of the linebacking core will put enough pressure on Martinez that he will throw like he did last year. Our secondary will hold.
Borges will move Denard back into the gun, where he is more comfortable and can get the ball elevated over the linemen. He will throw sparingly, yet accurately. Denard, Toussaint, Rawls, Smith, and whomever carries the rock for the Wolverines will chip away and eventually gash the Cornhuskers questionable defense.
Notre Dame did us a favor. Their fans were fired up, their band mic'd up, their whistles whistling and their RAWK was LOUD. And all of this in an away game under the lights. The Team and it's coaches have experienced all this and will make the necessary mental and procedural preperations to deal with another hostile enviroment.
Defense, a focus on running, ball control, and physical and mental toughness. I think we all know that Bo is smiling down on Team 133 from Football Valhalla.
I agree with your assesment, except for the part where you call Tebow a QB. In reality, Tim Tebow is a RB that has the ball direct-snapped to him.
In terms of attempts-completions, the closet person listed as a QB is the oh-so-awesome Christian Ponder of the Minnesota Vikings. Ponder has played in three fewer games and has one fewer starts.
There is no "Tebow magic." There Denver playing with a decent defense, a solid O-line, and a weaksauce division.
In Bo: Life, laughs, and lessonsof a college football legend , our legandary coach recounts how, as an assistant at Presbytarian College this happened to his team. They were on the Wofford 1-yard line, with only time for one play. A sneak seemed to have made it in, winning the game. While the ref was sorting thru the pile, the students piled on the edges of the field chanting "terrier meat, terrier meat" (Wofford being The Terriers, you see.) As Bo recounted, the ref was visibly shaken and placed the ball on the inch-line, no touchdown, clock expired, Wofford wins.
If Bo acknowledges that this happens, then it certainly happens.
To my mind, there is no way to make every faction completely happy. Therefore, I have decided to take an utilitarian approach.
The six conferences that currentlly hold BCS AQ championchips will all have twelve teams per conference.
The two teams with the best conference records will battle it out in a conference championship game. The best record in the conference will not be determined by what division a team is in. This should help eliminate a 5-3 tgeam in the East division from getting in ahead of a 6-2 team in the West division. Head-to-head and/or record against same opponents can work as tie-breakers. These championship games will be played when they are now. Nice money grab for the conferences.
The conference champions will go to the "Big Four" bowl games that currently make up the BCS bowls. This will allow The Rose Bowl can go back to always pitting the Big 10 and Pac 12. Two "at-large" teams will be selected. This is just in case Notre Dame, the MWC, or some other non-AQ team is actually good. No AQ-conference team that did not win it's CCG will be allowed in. (Sorry, 'Bama, you had your chance.) This will serve as the first round of a playoff, as well as (hopefully) somewhat satisfy the "bowl purists." This will also provide a cash grab for the cities involved, as well as anyone else who can make money off of them. The bowls will be played January 1-2.
The four bowl winners will participate int wo semi-final games at TBD locations, chosen in the same way the venue for the BB Final Four is chosen. Or hockey Frozen Four, if you prefer. The game will be played January 8-9, or the closest Saturday-Sunday thereof. More T.V. and host-city money.
The following Saturday will be the NCG, again at a TBD site. More T.V. and host money.
There ye be: A system that is somewhat more fair as far as choosing a true National Champion, only adds two more games max per school, more money and more T.V. to watch.
Assuming Borges is as good as advertised, this is what I believe we'll see next year:
1. Denard runs for 75-150 YPG
2. Denard completes about 60% of his passes for 150-200 YPG, utilizing all his receivers, including TEs
3. Toussaint gains 100-150 YPG.
4. Gardner, Smith, and others make up an average of 100-150 yards.
Denard will spend the off-season learning how to better fit into the offense Borges wants to run. (This still doesn't mean I-form). He will read the running lanes better and this will open up the passing game, especially the deep routes. TDs-to-INTs will be about 2:1 instad of 1:1. Denard is a gifted athlete, but I just don't think his brain can handle all the change. Borges will get him on track.
Toussaint will be a beast.
Gardener will get the entire 4th quarter against tomato cans . This will not only be to get him ready to lead the Wolverines in 2013, but because a more consistant offense and a rock-solid defense will make Hoke comfortable in leashing the Denard Toussaint monster.
Talk amongst yourselves, I'm getting verklemt just thinking about it.
Recent Comments
I live in Wisconsin and I understand what the WSJ writer is referring to, but I never understand it. Badger fans have a weird hatred for Michigan football whereas, so far as I know, Wolverine fans merely know that Wisconsin football exists.
Ya know, someone mentioned that we should be in traditional maize pants for something as important as The Game, and my first reaction was to agree.
But the all-blue isn't a bad look. The basketball team pulls it off.
And if The Team plays like they did this afternoon while wearing the all blue...well, maybe it should be permanent.
This was the most moving and well-written essay I've read in some time. Beautifully, wonderfully written, yet covering such a horrible topic. I have read things on this site that have been hilarious, anger-inducing, cringe-worthy, joyous, you name it. I have never had a co-worker have to ask me "what the heck are you reading" because of my reaction.
I think I speak for all of us that, while we knew the odds, while we knew the medical realities, we didn't stop hoping and praying for a miracle. I am the father of an eight-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy, and when I think of what Jason and Tammi Car went through, what Chad's brothers went through...I wouldn't wish that on my bitterest enemy.
It's gotta be beanbag toss. I hear it's going to be in the Olympics soon.
Skeptics will point out that Maryland and Rutgers can’t deliver their television markets, the way Nebraska did. That is true. But the NY–Philly–Washington axis is so heavily populated that it might not matter. If Delany just gets just a decent fraction of it, the conference will make more than it did in Nebraska.
I totally agree.
Nebraska's population is 1.8 million. Let's assume every man, woman and child there tunes into BTN to watch Husker football when their team is on the road. Now compare:
Maryland - 5.8 million
Washington D.C.- 0 .6 million
New Jersey- 8.8 million
Philadelphia- 1.5 million
TOTAL- 16.7 million
It's not really hard to see where this is going.
Tonight, it will be Denard Xavier Robinson calling his own number.
It really doesn't matter if Burkhead plays or not. It doesn't matter how good his back-ups are. All that matters is that Michigan will win.
Mattison will work his magic. Our front seven will do their job and contain Nebraska's running game. Jake Ryan and the rest of the linebacking core will put enough pressure on Martinez that he will throw like he did last year. Our secondary will hold.
Borges will move Denard back into the gun, where he is more comfortable and can get the ball elevated over the linemen. He will throw sparingly, yet accurately. Denard, Toussaint, Rawls, Smith, and whomever carries the rock for the Wolverines will chip away and eventually gash the Cornhuskers questionable defense.
Notre Dame did us a favor. Their fans were fired up, their band mic'd up, their whistles whistling and their RAWK was LOUD. And all of this in an away game under the lights. The Team and it's coaches have experienced all this and will make the necessary mental and procedural preperations to deal with another hostile enviroment.
Defense, a focus on running, ball control, and physical and mental toughness. I think we all know that Bo is smiling down on Team 133 from Football Valhalla.
Wolverines 35 - Bugearters 17
The knowledge reaffirms what I already believed:
Wolverines 35
Domers 17
What is the over/under on Brian Kelly having a visible facial aneurysm?
I mean, what other fan base has access to the future?
UM 42
AF 17
UM 51
UMass 10
Then, I was nervous, but sure we would bounce right back. I lapsed into delusion, before reaching a quite acceptance.
I then realized that I was at a wedding reception, and my wife wanted to dance with me. In a somewhat NSFW way. Then we went home and [redacted].
I woke up realising things:
1. There are more important things than football
2. We have things to be proud of and to build on.
3. We will make it to the top. I have faith in our coaches and program.
4. I love this team.
5. My wife is a hot and naughty.
We were not supposed to win that game, and we shcoked the world.
The late, great Ufer said it best, "...men from Michigan can do anything."
it's...the Holy Land
Damnit, you made me spray my dink onto my screen.
I agree with your assesment, except for the part where you call Tebow a QB. In reality, Tim Tebow is a RB that has the ball direct-snapped to him.
In terms of attempts-completions, the closet person listed as a QB is the oh-so-awesome Christian Ponder of the Minnesota Vikings. Ponder has played in three fewer games and has one fewer starts.
There is no "Tebow magic." There Denver playing with a decent defense, a solid O-line, and a weaksauce division.
Christian Ponder, QB
In Bo: Life, laughs, and lessonsof a college football legend , our legandary coach recounts how, as an assistant at Presbytarian College this happened to his team. They were on the Wofford 1-yard line, with only time for one play. A sneak seemed to have made it in, winning the game. While the ref was sorting thru the pile, the students piled on the edges of the field chanting "terrier meat, terrier meat" (Wofford being The Terriers, you see.) As Bo recounted, the ref was visibly shaken and placed the ball on the inch-line, no touchdown, clock expired, Wofford wins.
If Bo acknowledges that this happens, then it certainly happens.
I moved to Wisconsin because my wife lives here. I have learned a few interesting facts.
First, born Wisconsinites do believe that their state is shaped like a miiten, rather than a clenched fist.
They are also a bit ticked about the Upper Penninsula belonging to Michigan.
With no other division one football school in-state, they are insanely devoted to the Badgers.
They have no big-time rivalries a la Michigan-MSU or Michigan-Ohio. Although they are starting to hate Sparty in football.
To a Wisconsinite, the four main food groups are apparently cheese, beer, brats, and corn.
They are also genuinely decent people as opposed to Ohio.
This clip is hilarious. Too bad I can only show it to my wife if I intend to sleep on the couch for about a month.
To my mind, there is no way to make every faction completely happy. Therefore, I have decided to take an utilitarian approach.
The six conferences that currentlly hold BCS AQ championchips will all have twelve teams per conference.
The two teams with the best conference records will battle it out in a conference championship game. The best record in the conference will not be determined by what division a team is in. This should help eliminate a 5-3 tgeam in the East division from getting in ahead of a 6-2 team in the West division. Head-to-head and/or record against same opponents can work as tie-breakers. These championship games will be played when they are now. Nice money grab for the conferences.
The conference champions will go to the "Big Four" bowl games that currently make up the BCS bowls. This will allow The Rose Bowl can go back to always pitting the Big 10 and Pac 12. Two "at-large" teams will be selected. This is just in case Notre Dame, the MWC, or some other non-AQ team is actually good. No AQ-conference team that did not win it's CCG will be allowed in. (Sorry, 'Bama, you had your chance.) This will serve as the first round of a playoff, as well as (hopefully) somewhat satisfy the "bowl purists." This will also provide a cash grab for the cities involved, as well as anyone else who can make money off of them. The bowls will be played January 1-2.
The four bowl winners will participate int wo semi-final games at TBD locations, chosen in the same way the venue for the BB Final Four is chosen. Or hockey Frozen Four, if you prefer. The game will be played January 8-9, or the closest Saturday-Sunday thereof. More T.V. and host-city money.
The following Saturday will be the NCG, again at a TBD site. More T.V. and host money.
There ye be: A system that is somewhat more fair as far as choosing a true National Champion, only adds two more games max per school, more money and more T.V. to watch.
...and I wish we were the Eastern Michigan Emus. That would somehow be fitting.
Assuming Borges is as good as advertised, this is what I believe we'll see next year:
1. Denard runs for 75-150 YPG
2. Denard completes about 60% of his passes for 150-200 YPG, utilizing all his receivers, including TEs
3. Toussaint gains 100-150 YPG.
4. Gardner, Smith, and others make up an average of 100-150 yards.
Denard will spend the off-season learning how to better fit into the offense Borges wants to run. (This still doesn't mean I-form). He will read the running lanes better and this will open up the passing game, especially the deep routes. TDs-to-INTs will be about 2:1 instad of 1:1. Denard is a gifted athlete, but I just don't think his brain can handle all the change. Borges will get him on track.
Toussaint will be a beast.
Gardener will get the entire 4th quarter against tomato cans . This will not only be to get him ready to lead the Wolverines in 2013, but because a more consistant offense and a rock-solid defense will make Hoke comfortable in leashing the Denard Toussaint monster.
Talk amongst yourselves, I'm getting verklemt just thinking about it.