OT: MIchigan Sports Thread: UM wins Natty Championship

[YpsiWings]

This. My days as an undergrad in Ann Arbor were toward the end of the Carr era, after the last national title. Back then, the UM-OSU rivalry was still a fairly even back and forth. It wasn't long after that the scales truly tipped, and it's certainly been painful ever since. Given the recent history between the two, the 10 years since our last win, and the fact this game propels Michigan into the B1G title game and possibly a playoff spot.... I couldn't give two shits about the loss to Sparty at this point. Sucked at the time given the circumstances, they're certainly a top-3 rival, but that game is so far in the rear-view mirror now, turns out the loss means nothing, I just..... yeah don't care lol.

Absolutely. Been watching the Minnesota-Wisconsin game, hoping for a Gophers victory. I am from Iowa (Mom is from Michigan and uncles are alumni, got me as a Wolverine fan early on). Having said that I like Iowa every day but one, Kinnick is the most underrated stadium in the country. The sidelines are tiny, fans are right next to the field. I have watched 8 out of the last 12 Michigan-Iowa games in person, and my record is not great, maybe awful saw some heartbreakers. However if there was ever a year I want to play Iowa this is it, besides Linderbaum they have the worst offensive line I have ever seen in my time as a fan. Hutchinson and Ojabo would feast on their tackles.

 

[SpookyTsuki]

Absolutely. Been watching the Minnesota-Wisconsin game, hoping for a Gophers victory. I am from Iowa (Mom is from Michigan and uncles are alumni, got me as a Wolverine fan early on). Having said that I like Iowa every day but one, Kinnick is the most underrated stadium in the country. The sidelines are tiny, fans are right next to the field. I have watched 8 out of the last 12 Michigan-Iowa games in person, and my record is not great, maybe awful saw some heartbreakers. However if there was ever a year I want to play Iowa this is it, besides Linderbaum they have the worst offensive line I have ever seen in my time as a fan. Hutchinson and Ojabo would feast on their tackles.

Idk who I want. We already beat Wisconsin and theyre playing bad (but if they win they played a great 4th as of now). Or Iowa who has a good d for turnovers and field position but have a god awful offense.

 

[FabricDetails]

No offense to you or your family but they must be casual fans that don’t really care about Michigan Football. Obviously no Wolverine fan wants to lose to State, but right now that is such a minor thought to true fans that it almost doesn’t matter (almost). Michigan finished 11-1, won the East, and is going to play for the B1G Championship. I would bet State fans would love to switch places right now, I am on cloud 9.

Or they're just miserable individuals with ridiculous standards for happiness who spent too much money on their undergraduate and graduate degrees and care too much about Michigan athletics.

 

[YpsiWings]

Idk who I want. We already beat Wisconsin and theyre playing bad (but if they win they played a great 4th as of now). Or Iowa who has a good d for turnovers and field position but have a god awful offense.

Besides personal reasons I want Iowa for sure. Like you said their offense is horrendous and depends on getting turnovers from the defense. Michigan has done a great job taking care of the football, and Iowa is far from a spread offense that has given the Wolverines trouble in the past. Combine all of that with Wisconsin playing much better than when they played earlier in the year (granted they are having trouble on the road right now) give me Iowa in the Championship game.

 

[jaster]

Or they're just miserable individuals with ridiculous standards for happiness who spent too much money on their undergraduate and graduate degrees and care too much about Michigan athletics.

Ehhh, but their take makes no sense. I'm still plugged into dozens and dozens of my fellow alumni, and not a one today could care less about the loss to Sparty. There's no reason to. Any Michigan grad who is saying "yeah but we lost to MSU" in the past several hours is in a severe minority, and doesn't appear to understand the dynamics of college football/Michigan's situation.

 

[FabricDetails]

Ehhh, but their take makes no sense. I'm still plugged into dozens and dozens of my fellow alumni, and not a one today could care less about the loss to Sparty. There's no reason to. Any Michigan grad who is saying "yeah but we lost to MSU" in the past several hours is in a severe minority, and doesn't appear to understand the dynamics of college football/Michigan's situation.

I agree. That post wasn't really supposed to reflect Michigan fans in general. Only the silliness I deal with every Thanksgiving.

 

[jaster]

I agree. That post wasn't really supposed to reflect Michigan fans in general. Only the silliness I deal with every Thanksgiving.

Who the hell doesn't deal with silliness at Thanksgiving these days, amirite??

I feel ya.

 

[FabricDetails]

Who the hell doesn't deal with silliness at Thanksgiving these days, amirite??

I feel ya.

They were the first ones who taught me the whole, "If we don't do X, Y and Z, then we don't deserve to win" line. They're also engineers. Not sure if that's related, haha.

Edit/Add: Oh, what they're really upset about is how that win "bought another 5 years for Harbaugh". #EmotionalClarification

 

[jaster]

They were the first ones who taught me the whole, "If we don't do X, Y and Z, then we don't deserve to win" line. They're also engineers. Not sure if that's related, haha.

Ha, it almost certainly is

 

[Reality Check]

As a Michigan fan I'd like to say I'm sorry. Knew it would happen eventually but not today and I'm not expecting anything else after today.

More so, I learned today was the 30th anniversary of the Desmond Howard Heisman pose. I actually attended that game as a kid and it remains the only Michigan-Ohio State game I've ever attended. That definitely made today more sweet.

 

[FabricDetails]

MSU won too. They actually not have 20 players due to the flu?

 

[SpookyTsuki]

As a Michigan fan I'd like to say I'm sorry. Knew it would happen eventually but not today and I'm not expecting anything else after today.

More so, I learned today was the 30th anniversary of the Desmond Howard Heisman pose. I actually attended that game as a kid and it remains the only Michigan-Ohio State game I've ever attended. That definitely made today more sweet.

I still don’t “love” Harbaugh in big games but hopefully this changes his momentum for the better like how 2016 changed it for the worst.

 

[Ricelund]

 

[jaster]

Alright, so hoping Correa is still realistic, possibly Seager too though that one feels even less likely. Otherwise hoping for Story here.

I already agreed with ya about Baez being less desirable than the other 4 big names, but the more I've looked at it, the more I hate the idea of Baez. Of the 5, his game has the highest probability of falling off the most and the soonest. Some have said he may sign for as little as 3-4 years, but there are signs his game has already begun to drop off. Please steer clear, Detroit.

 

[Hen Kolland]

Alright, so hoping Correa is still realistic, possibly Seager too though that one feels even less likely. Otherwise hoping for Story here.

I already agreed with ya about Baez being less desirable than the other 4 big names, but the more I've looked at it, the more I hate the idea of Baez. Of the 5, his game has the highest probability of falling off the most and the soonest. Some have said he may sign for as little as 3-4 years, but there are signs his game has already begun to drop off. Please steer clear, Detroit.

This would prove my fears absolutely valid by allowing Avila to coast as long as he has. He hasn’t had to make any major decisions that we have to watch. The trades were underwhelming, but baseball prospects are extremely hard to predict. We’ve yet to see a strong knowledge of ANYTHING from Avila other than managing to keep payroll at poverty levels.

I’m terrified of letting Al Avila run this franchise. Baez would double down on that fear.

 

[jaster]

This would prove my fears absolutely valid by allowing Avila to coast as long as he has. He hasn’t had to make any major decisions that we have to watch. The trades were underwhelming, but baseball prospects are extremely hard to predict. We’ve yet to see a strong knowledge of ANYTHING from Avila other than managing to keep payroll at poverty levels.

I’m terrified of letting Al Avila run this franchise. Baez would double down on that fear.

Yeah, I've never been anything but lukewarm toward Avila. I'm not a fan of the EdRod signing, and Baez would certainly be worse. Horrible consolation prize if it's decided Correa is too expensive.

 

[Ricelund]

This would prove my fears absolutely valid by allowing Avila to coast as long as he has. He hasn’t had to make any major decisions that we have to watch. The trades were underwhelming, but baseball prospects are extremely hard to predict. We’ve yet to see a strong knowledge of ANYTHING from Avila other than managing to keep payroll at poverty levels.

I’m terrified of letting Al Avila run this franchise. Baez would double down on that fear.

I’m not as afraid with Hinch involved. If Al were still flying solo, I’d be terrified.

 

[Hen Kolland]

I’m not as afraid with Hinch involved. If Al were still flying solo, I’d be terrified.

There was a rumor at some point that Hinch was not a fan of Avila. That seems to have been proven to be false. Too bad. Give me Hinch and a book of blank checks for him to use at his discretion.

 

[Winger98]

There was a rumor at some point that Hinch was not a fan of Avila. That seems to have been proven to be false. Too bad. Give me Hinch and a book of blank checks for him to use at his discretion.

If Ilitch was handing out blank checks there wouldn't be talk that Correa is too expensive for us.

 

[Hen Kolland]

If Ilitch was handing out blank checks there wouldn't be talk that Correa is too expensive for us.

Kind of the point ultimately. Empower the right people to make decisions and take your hands off the wheel.

 

[Reality Check]

Alright, so hoping Correa is still realistic, possibly Seager too though that one feels even less likely. Otherwise hoping for Story here.

I already agreed with ya about Baez being less desirable than the other 4 big names, but the more I've looked at it, the more I hate the idea of Baez. Of the 5, his game has the highest probability of falling off the most and the soonest. Some have said he may sign for as little as 3-4 years, but there are signs his game has already begun to drop off. Please steer clear, Detroit.

Semein signing that deal should end any wishful thinking that Baez would accept a short term deal for less.

My main gripe is that I believe Baez would be a bad fit in this ballpark. But I also understand the fear of giving Correa an empty check when that money can be used to other pieces to the roster. Tigers need to improve their defense which crosses out Seager as he seems destined for 3B. Which then leaves Correa, Baez and Story.

I'll be disappointed if they strike out on all three. They need to land one. But the Tigers also can't bid against themselves here.

 

[Ricelund]

Agh, this is not a good sign.

 

[Ricelund]

But I also understand the fear of giving Correa an empty check when that money can be used to other pieces to the roster.

 

[Winger98]

Kind of the point ultimately. Empower the right people to make decisions and take your hands off the wheel.

But it also means Avila doesn't deserve the lion's share of the blame if we don't get the guy. If Ilitch isn't willing to sign the check, Avila can't make the offer. For all of the worry folks have for Avila, he's the one who brought Hinch on board, he's the one who helmed the rebuild that seemed to start paying off this last season, he's the GM while we've brought in various coaches and trainers that have gotten a lot of love from Tiger fans...He's been the constant in revamping the Tigers organization from top to bottom. While I haven't been thrilled with some of his decisions, at some point it becomes kind of hard to see where the Tigers were, where they are, and to keep not giving him the kudos for it.

 

[Ricelund]

I'm still holding out hope for Correa.