It was only one win. It was a game we should have won. There was not one kid on the Western Michigan roster that we recruited and wanted.All of that doesn't matter. I can't tell you how much more fun watching this team play is with the pain and frustration of last year still burned into my mind. It was incredible. The sun was shining. The crowd was loud. The defense was aggressive. The offense was exciting and diverse. The freshman played well. The punt returners held on to the football. We won and somehow it felt normal.
We still have a long way to go, but this first step was so exhilarating -- I can't wait until next week.
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21 comments:
Michigan Dominates,
OSU Sucks,
Yes, it was a great Saturday!
Go Blue!!
Next up:
Let's put Charlie Weis on the Biggest Loser Diet next weekend.
This team will only get tighter and stronger as the season unfolds. Even against a stronger opponent, (barring catastrophic injuries), I see ZERO chance for self destruction. They may not win them all, but they will be in them all.
Confidence is EVERYTHING going forward. As it builds - look out.
Crowd noise sounded GREAT on TV - and as we all know, more is better. I know D.R. won't ever forget the thundering roar of 106,000+ screaming fans as he ran into that endzone for the first time. That young man had never heard a sound like that in his entire life before Saturday afternoon. I have a feeling he will never forget it either.
Ability + confidence are good bedfellows. If you want to see kids start playing "beyond" themselves, start believing in them by getting LOUD!
I'll be there on the 26th for Indiana - my one game this fall. I plan on coming with one voice and plan on leaving without it.
Absolutely ALL IN.
Go Blue!
"Michigan Dominates,
OSU Sucks,"
Wow, what a difference a game makes.
You all should be ashamed of yourselves--beating up the little neighbor kid like that. I'll bet you broke his glasses also. Bullies.
Not to brag, but our Arizona Wildcats beat up your Chippewas last night.
Well, anyway, welcome back to the land of the living.
Koger sure is wearing #86 well.
Good Evening, I'm Jane Curtin and I have to disagree....
While this was a FANTASTIC win, and a GLEEFUL first half--Rich Rod BLEW IT from the sports psychology standpoint.
The second half was devoid of the first half's intensity and execution because the coach let up and missed the opportunity to get our starting QB some useful reps against a variety of defensive looks.
RR sent a terrible message by putting Sheridan in so early in the second half (who then promptly showed us all why last year sucked so much--great kid, but not a starting QB) and then compounded it by pulling Tate at the 20 yard line to put the Coner in. WTF? Like a freshman QB can't benefit from running a 1st and goal offense against an opponent in a real game late in the 4th quarter?
That one may come back to bite us...
you heard it here first.
What happened to the all in for michigan pledge? to
"bring it all four quarters and I won't stop until the clock reads all zeros"
These kids need to learn to play hard for 4 quarters.
In a season where you need to come out with intensity and have lots to prove, you don't pull up.
RichRod's scheme: brilliant
RichRod's psychology: lame
t9,
i don't think rr let up in the 2nd half - i just think all those extra illegal hours of conditioning finally caught up to them. either that or barwis didn't have them prepped for 60 minutes.
take your pick :)
Great win for the program and loved the crowd (except for our section, which was like a graveyard). The reason they orriginally put Sheridan in was there was something wrong with forcier's foot or shoe or something, because he was trying to get the coach's attention and pointing to his shoe when he was taken out. Why Robinson wasn't put in, I don't know.
Andy, I love the "Boda" picture on the mustache buffet item.
That was T9's addition to the buffet. I am not that big of a fan of the "Mustaches for Michigan" shtick.
If you look on the site, they list a couple other sites with the heading: Michigan Football Links with Actual Content
I'm not sure.... but I think at least one Michigan site with pretty regular content (and semi-naked women) is missing from that list.
@Phil
I'm pretty sure saying that "OSU Sucks" is not a very good idea.
Sure they slept thru the game with Navy, but they are a long way from "sucking"
Andy - point well taken.
OSU Sucks kinda
a couple of observations on the WMU game posting this on Sunday as I spent the night at my brother's house, Downriver, [I grew up in Trenton] and didn't get back to the 616 until this afternoon.
1. With the glass up on the suites, it was noticably louder.
2. I can't wait to read what Brian at mgoblog has to say about the RAWK music played--especially the AC/DC before the game, had to check myself as I thought I was in "little brother stadium." But in the second half, I have to admit I sang along to "Sweet Caroline." Per Greg at Mvictors--it appears RAWK music may be here to stay.
3. I am pissed off (pun intended) with the stadium renovations, the men's bathrooms are ruined. The maize and blue tiled-troughs and the "as long as you find a space, its all good" are now memories. Waterless urinals?? Gone are the days of guys "mooing" in the men's room, like cattle going out to pasture--some knucklehead always does this and thinks it is the most original thing ever created. I was so disturbed I texted BAH and he was equally appalled at the thought of this bathroom renovation.
4. All of my fellow WMU alumni noticed that the majority Hot Moms in attendance were sporting Bronco gear--methinks this is not a coincidence.
It was a fun game to be present for. Although I am in the "senior" student section, there were a few annoying moments. It was so incredibly loud, I could barely hear myself think. I am not sure if it was because the stadium in general was louder or if just sitting a few seats behind the band with a raucous student body. Either way, I did enjoy seeing first hand how supportive the students are of the team and the coach.
I was annoyed, (as T9 discusses) with putting in Sheridan and Cone. I felt it would have been much better for us to make a STATEMENT and play until the end. That said, the upside to putting in Sheridan was a good reminder of WHY we shouldn't EVER put him in again. (Sorry Sheridan if you are reading this) I also liked that Cone was able to see some real playing time, he has been patient and a he does deserve a play here and there.
Now that I know what to expect from the "senior" section, I will be better prepared next time to be less annoyed. This is their undergraduate experience and they should enjoy it. I bring "senior" a whole new meaning in that section....HA!
I didn't see your game, but from reading your comments it sounds like RR was trying to walk the wire. Keeping your starting QB in with such a lead against a second tier opponent could be a PR nightmare. I'm not sure what psychological advantage there is in rubbing the little neighbor kids nose in the mud. It only makes you feel dirty while setting the neighborhood against you.
Not a fan of RR, but I have to give him credit for calling off the dogs. It was a big win. Enjoy it.
imo, i guess i would politely disagree w/ a couple of comments/ideas here.
first,as good as they looked, this team is still going to struggle to get many more than 6 or 7 wins this season. we are dangerously thin on D in terms of experience. when Cissoko dinged his arm/shoulder, Floyd, who i don't think has played a down in college, replaced him. it forced the D to change its scheme to drop the LBs more in zone, etc., and really good team is going to exploit that more than WMU could.
point is that there are going to be games in October & November where injuries (not even big ones, just the usual dings and nicks) are going to expose our inexperience and it's going to cost us games. how many is the real question.
because of the lack of depth, i (really respectfully!) have the opposite view of T9's concerns about the 2nd half. i think it was more important to get as many kids onto the field in a game situation than to maintain the shut out or make a statement. every minute of playing time these young back ups get against WMU, EMU, IU, et al, could be the difference in November.
and not just on D. let's face it- Denard only looks to know about a half dozen plays. if Lil' Baby Tater gets dinged, we might have to play Nick. we need to know just how much (or little) he's improved and just what he can do in a game.
so yeah, it would have been fun to ruthlessly throttle WMU for another two or three TDs and keep their yardage under 100. but if the young DBs learned something on those blown assignments that led to WMU's meaningless TD? or if Nick picked something up from that stupid pick? it could be a bigger statement down the road.
good points SiC and I can see your logic.
But maybe get the younger kids the reps after the ND game.
Get your starters as seasoned as possible before the emu and crew get here.
I don't want to be a wet blanket, I just think it was the wrong strategy.
Best RR quote re: Denard:
(from annarbor.com)
“I thought he was still going to have time to hand it off, but he goes the wrong way pretty fast, too,” Rodriguez said. “Usually, if you screw up, you go even faster. So he went a little extra fast on that one.”
ugh those guys from the freep are at it again - they NEVER print ANYTHING positive about you guys. This one's from Snyder - he obviously has it out for the wolverines and richrod.
feel for you guys
freep
mike hart was released saturday - can't really run against michigan state every game in the pros mikey.
Mild threadjack- Brian "the Buckeye Slayer" is doing the color on ESPN's coverage of the Rutgers- UC game. Not half bad either. With UC leading 45-7, I'm pretty sure no matter what happens with R2 I'm glad Shiano turned us down.
Sru
I don't get your point on the Free Press.
Someone on staff wrote a positive article - WOW.
Coupled with the dozens of "Michigan is dead" articles they have run, it all feels so good.
You won in impressive fashion. While tOSU mentally checked out before the game finished and learned that 55 minutes is not 60 minutes. Now please beat ND and start Mr. Decided Schematic Advantage on the road to ruin. U$Cheat will not leave Columbus 2-0.
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