Love every part of this, the Rose Bowl was as good as it gets.
One small opinion about the future: I think we'll miss Roman more than Brian thinks. Not to deny that the staff will continue to scheme guys wide open, but I think Roman being the star of Senior Bowl week with feedback from everyone that "he's somehow always open" indicates at least some of that is just him. Roman had such a great season, and I still somehow feel like he was underutilized. Oh well, no real complaints here, just gonna keep basking in this UFR.
That's considered a huge advantage, not redundant. Teams and fans don't have to travel long distances between games, something FIFA prioritizes avoiding.
Also, Seattle and Vancouver are bitter rivals about 3 hours apart, no different than NY/Philly or many others, they definitely function as entirely unique markets.
Also helps to have multiple markets on the west coast, so fans and players don't have to fly cross country for their games. Picking just one would leave teams stuck there with a lot of travel for just one match.
Seth, you mentioned that it would still be possible for ticket holders to transfer tickets on their own and save fees. Small beans in the end compared to the huge issues you're mentioning, but I wonder if it might make sense for MGoBlog to setup their own GoogleDoc or something to essentially replace the secondary market and allow your readers to find tickets more easily without having to go through StubHub. Maybe you all could even take a cut for managing! Would happily rather pay 5 bucks to you on a $15 Rutgers ticket, rather than paying $100 bucks and giving commissions to StubHub.
Just a half-baked idea, but would be nice to feel like I have an option to find tickets that don't involve scrounging Craigslist/Reddit or going through StubHub.
Hard to argue with any of this. Franz missing out on Defense is absurd.
The only quibble I have on any of it is not including EJ Liddell in most improved player with at least a mention. I don't think anyone saw him coming the way he did for OSU.
Let's say we drop a game or two against OSU/Iowa/Illinois. An extra filler game against MSU (assuming we win it) only helps our winning percentage. So that's a plus. Pretty much best case scenario here.
Agreed, definitely a concern, but I think one big difference could be that Nova actually had a bunch of cases on the team, while Michigan hasn't yet. I know we've all gotten used to COVID injury reports and team pauses, but it's still a pretty significant illness that definitely can affect how players feel for a long time. Like, who knows how many Nova players still have some minor lingering issues affecting their energy or conditioning or whatever. Not to say that's necessarily the case for them, but hopefully UM can come back out of the gates in less of a place where all the players are in different spots in game readiness.
I was definitely laughing at that. Took like 2 steps, and then like 4 shuffle steps, then 1 more to jump. Gotta love how the official rules of basketball say "on awesome breakaway dunks, there's no such thing as traveling"
If Wisconsin cancels 3 games, they are ineligible to win their division, so they'd be screwed. They really need to get enough of a team back to play Michigan at least, to give them a shot to go 6-0.
Well, by the rules this year, they aren't eligible to win the division if they play less than 6 games (unless the average of games played by all teams is less than 6). So yes, they'll get an advantage if they finish 6-0 vs. a team that goes 7-1, but they're screwed if they have to cancel their next 3 games and finish 5-0.
I know you are just intentionally stereotyping a liberal region and/or trying to be politically divisive, but Seattle pro sports are obviously extremely well supported (Seahawks fans with their extremely loud 12's, the Sounders fans that basically put MLS fandom on the map and can still sellout an entire NFL stadium in minutes, the continued passion for the Sonics). A lot of that is of course from fans outside the city itself, but that's true for most cities nationwide.
As for the hockey team, I think this article below puts it best - they sold out season tickets in 12 minutes. And given the huge base of factory workers at Boeing, shipyards, fishing, logging/paper and other industries, makes sense that the support here would be intense and deep for hockey.
Honestly, I love everything about it, the name and logo is just the right amount of goofy and badass. The S logo with the hiddle tentacle and red eye is great, and the secondary logo with the space needle/anchor is even better (I'll be buying that as a hat ASAP). I do kinda wish they had gone with the Seattle theme with green in the logo like the Sounders/Seahawks/Mariners/Sonics, but oh well.
Now if only we could do something about the dumbest arena name ever (even if I support the message)...
Yep, according to this long but very interesting article by Atul Gawande on how to manage risk going forward, it's most contagious before symptoms become apparent. I think the case for why this is unique from SARS and other recent epidemics is pretty clear.
"Studies now consistently indicate that infectivity starts before symptoms do, that it peaks right around the day that they start, and that it declines substantially by five days or so. This is the pattern we see in influenza. But it’s the opposite of the pattern we saw with the coronavirus that caused China’s SARS outbreak eighteen years ago."
Sounds like just about all of the main targets are unlikely, and Michigan hasn't reached out to the guys you're also excited about, so while it's obviously early, who are the likeliest options then at this point for those 2-3 wing slots?
As someone who lives in Seattle and has been waiting years for UM at UW in perfect weather over Labor Day, it would suck for it to be postponed or cancelled, but I'm already resigned to that, and it's almost certainly the right call anyway.
I can see how you can make the case it's safer for players than fans (younger, you can bubble them off in a separate dorm, etc.), but the problem is when you bring coaches, referees, etc. into the picture, many of whom may be in their 60's/70's. Is Alabama gonna take the chance that Saban (age 68) won't get it and he'll be ok?
Dumb to say that the kids will be ok if they get it, and can't do anything to minimize risk. Of course they likely will be fine themselves, except players tend to come into contact with a whole lot of other people, including their family, let alone other students who may have disabilities or higher-risk factors.
Also, what happens if some states/schools open up to students and allow sports, and others don't? What happens if Washington is shut down and doesn't allow their students to practice/play and Michigan opens up? I can't see all 50 states being in the same place by early July or early this Fall, and just can't have a season where some schools play more games than others.
Interesting look from Quinn on Franz's decision and current mentality (not giving too much more info since it's paywalled, but come on, it's Quinn, just click on it).
Because if you make it far enough, you play against a team that gets about 3 hours less rest than you (i.e. the team that wins the game played directly after yours). Also get to scout the next game with your full attention, which helps a bit with prep. It's not a huge deal, but it can help at the margins.
Yea, Herbie may be a Buckeye, but he usually does about a good job of being neutral and not letting his colors show as anyone. Got a few things wrong today, but definitely never felt like he was rooting against Michigan
And Maryland continues to be awful. Apparently the kid who called out the program for the toxic culture got assaulted by other players when Durkin returned. Burn this program to the ground:
The segment on free throws at home vs. road was super interesting too. I always just assumed that fans going silent at home was helpful, but seems they were all more comfortable with the noise/distraction on the road, especially compared to the crushing disappointment of the home crowd after a miss. I wonder if all players feel that way
Everyone is focused on the blue bloods, but a great rivalry doesn't require national success, just needs passionate fanbases that truly "hate" each other and will get up for the game in both sports regardless of their win-loss record.
By that standard, I'd expand the scope a bit, i.e. Penn/Princeton. But I think you're right, Byu/Utah is probably number 1.
I want MSU, as I think Michigan will be too tired for another physical battle against Minny after today, and I think MSU is an easier matchup also for us to get to the finals, while still getting us a top-50 win.
Recent Comments
Love every part of this, the Rose Bowl was as good as it gets.
One small opinion about the future: I think we'll miss Roman more than Brian thinks. Not to deny that the staff will continue to scheme guys wide open, but I think Roman being the star of Senior Bowl week with feedback from everyone that "he's somehow always open" indicates at least some of that is just him. Roman had such a great season, and I still somehow feel like he was underutilized. Oh well, no real complaints here, just gonna keep basking in this UFR.
https://twitter.com/zach_edey/status/1640751037853171718
Looks like this is false?
Tons of great photos, appreciate the work!
I personally love the one with the defense lined up to sack the QB (great caption too)!
That's considered a huge advantage, not redundant. Teams and fans don't have to travel long distances between games, something FIFA prioritizes avoiding.
Also, Seattle and Vancouver are bitter rivals about 3 hours apart, no different than NY/Philly or many others, they definitely function as entirely unique markets.
Also helps to have multiple markets on the west coast, so fans and players don't have to fly cross country for their games. Picking just one would leave teams stuck there with a lot of travel for just one match.
Seth, you mentioned that it would still be possible for ticket holders to transfer tickets on their own and save fees. Small beans in the end compared to the huge issues you're mentioning, but I wonder if it might make sense for MGoBlog to setup their own GoogleDoc or something to essentially replace the secondary market and allow your readers to find tickets more easily without having to go through StubHub. Maybe you all could even take a cut for managing! Would happily rather pay 5 bucks to you on a $15 Rutgers ticket, rather than paying $100 bucks and giving commissions to StubHub.
Just a half-baked idea, but would be nice to feel like I have an option to find tickets that don't involve scrounging Craigslist/Reddit or going through StubHub.
That's just brutal. Had plans to do a sailgate for the first time last year, and now gotta wait 7 more years!
Hard to argue with any of this. Franz missing out on Defense is absurd.
The only quibble I have on any of it is not including EJ Liddell in most improved player with at least a mention. I don't think anyone saw him coming the way he did for OSU.
Let's say we drop a game or two against OSU/Iowa/Illinois. An extra filler game against MSU (assuming we win it) only helps our winning percentage. So that's a plus. Pretty much best case scenario here.
Agreed, definitely a concern, but I think one big difference could be that Nova actually had a bunch of cases on the team, while Michigan hasn't yet. I know we've all gotten used to COVID injury reports and team pauses, but it's still a pretty significant illness that definitely can affect how players feel for a long time. Like, who knows how many Nova players still have some minor lingering issues affecting their energy or conditioning or whatever. Not to say that's necessarily the case for them, but hopefully UM can come back out of the gates in less of a place where all the players are in different spots in game readiness.
Eady is an absurdly large human being, making Hunter look small
I was definitely laughing at that. Took like 2 steps, and then like 4 shuffle steps, then 1 more to jump. Gotta love how the official rules of basketball say "on awesome breakaway dunks, there's no such thing as traveling"
Yea, Xmas game is messed up for amateurs. Though they can't go home and see family I presume, so I guess not the worst.
NYE is less bad, they can finish the game and then go hang out and enjoy the evening (in whatever way is allowed) easily enough.
If Wisconsin cancels 3 games, they are ineligible to win their division, so they'd be screwed. They really need to get enough of a team back to play Michigan at least, to give them a shot to go 6-0.
Well, by the rules this year, they aren't eligible to win the division if they play less than 6 games (unless the average of games played by all teams is less than 6). So yes, they'll get an advantage if they finish 6-0 vs. a team that goes 7-1, but they're screwed if they have to cancel their next 3 games and finish 5-0.
I know you are just intentionally stereotyping a liberal region and/or trying to be politically divisive, but Seattle pro sports are obviously extremely well supported (Seahawks fans with their extremely loud 12's, the Sounders fans that basically put MLS fandom on the map and can still sellout an entire NFL stadium in minutes, the continued passion for the Sonics). A lot of that is of course from fans outside the city itself, but that's true for most cities nationwide.
As for the hockey team, I think this article below puts it best - they sold out season tickets in 12 minutes. And given the huge base of factory workers at Boeing, shipyards, fishing, logging/paper and other industries, makes sense that the support here would be intense and deep for hockey.
https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-to-seattle-ticket-drive-for-possible-expansion-team/c-296507418
Honestly, I love everything about it, the name and logo is just the right amount of goofy and badass. The S logo with the hiddle tentacle and red eye is great, and the secondary logo with the space needle/anchor is even better (I'll be buying that as a hat ASAP). I do kinda wish they had gone with the Seattle theme with green in the logo like the Sounders/Seahawks/Mariners/Sonics, but oh well.
Now if only we could do something about the dumbest arena name ever (even if I support the message)...
Yep, according to this long but very interesting article by Atul Gawande on how to manage risk going forward, it's most contagious before symptoms become apparent. I think the case for why this is unique from SARS and other recent epidemics is pretty clear.
https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/amid-the-coronavirus-crisis-a-regimen-for-reentry
"Studies now consistently indicate that infectivity starts before symptoms do, that it peaks right around the day that they start, and that it declines substantially by five days or so. This is the pattern we see in influenza. But it’s the opposite of the pattern we saw with the coronavirus that caused China’s SARS outbreak eighteen years ago."
Sounds like just about all of the main targets are unlikely, and Michigan hasn't reached out to the guys you're also excited about, so while it's obviously early, who are the likeliest options then at this point for those 2-3 wing slots?
As someone who lives in Seattle and has been waiting years for UM at UW in perfect weather over Labor Day, it would suck for it to be postponed or cancelled, but I'm already resigned to that, and it's almost certainly the right call anyway.
I can see how you can make the case it's safer for players than fans (younger, you can bubble them off in a separate dorm, etc.), but the problem is when you bring coaches, referees, etc. into the picture, many of whom may be in their 60's/70's. Is Alabama gonna take the chance that Saban (age 68) won't get it and he'll be ok?
Dumb to say that the kids will be ok if they get it, and can't do anything to minimize risk. Of course they likely will be fine themselves, except players tend to come into contact with a whole lot of other people, including their family, let alone other students who may have disabilities or higher-risk factors.
Also, what happens if some states/schools open up to students and allow sports, and others don't? What happens if Washington is shut down and doesn't allow their students to practice/play and Michigan opens up? I can't see all 50 states being in the same place by early July or early this Fall, and just can't have a season where some schools play more games than others.
Interesting look from Quinn on Franz's decision and current mentality (not giving too much more info since it's paywalled, but come on, it's Quinn, just click on it).
https://theathletic.com/1769400/2020/04/23/inside-franz-wagners-decision-to-skip-the-nba-waters-and-return-to-michigan/
Because if you make it far enough, you play against a team that gets about 3 hours less rest than you (i.e. the team that wins the game played directly after yours). Also get to scout the next game with your full attention, which helps a bit with prep. It's not a huge deal, but it can help at the margins.
Damn, sucks to lose him, would have loved to see this group run it back next year, but best of luck to him!
Yea, Herbie may be a Buckeye, but he usually does about a good job of being neutral and not letting his colors show as anyone. Got a few things wrong today, but definitely never felt like he was rooting against Michigan
And Maryland continues to be awful. Apparently the kid who called out the program for the toxic culture got assaulted by other players when Durkin returned. Burn this program to the ground:
https://twitter.com/lukebroadwater/status/1058055229734821894
Good to see you back for a bit Ace!
As awesome as the DPJ return was, I'm going with the Chase high-step/strut on the Bush tackle with my vote in the pretend poll. Just peak weird Chase.
Apologies for posting in this thread, but Walton just signed with the Heat! Awesome news
http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-derrick-walton-jr
The segment on free throws at home vs. road was super interesting too. I always just assumed that fans going silent at home was helpful, but seems they were all more comfortable with the noise/distraction on the road, especially compared to the crushing disappointment of the home crowd after a miss. I wonder if all players feel that way
I want MSU, as I think Michigan will be too tired for another physical battle against Minny after today, and I think MSU is an easier matchup also for us to get to the finals, while still getting us a top-50 win.