M-Borg vs. THE Flavortown U Thread, Orig. by Buckeye Paul, absconded w/by talent.

[iam416]

Well, maybe you're unrepresentative of the M fanbase or maybe I misread the M fanbase.

In my experience it seems like the prevailing, incontrovertible belief amongst the M fanbase is HARBAUGH!!!!! They were able to excuse last year's OSU loss because the deck was stacked against him and Durkin! (the other two losses were easily excused). But if he can't beat UFM and OSU this season -- with a real roster advantage -- then the HARBAUGH!!!! Uber Alles stuff loses a lot -- I don't think it can be excused away. If they win it's confirmation of everything for them.

You may take a bigger picture view, Buchanan, and I applaud that. You may also take a more sensible view of things -- Harbaugh is the absolute perfect fit for M, but there are still some fantastic coaches out there. Rationality and humility, however, aren't traits of CFB fanbases at large.

As for the actual game, OSU is still favored by more than homefield. They have the advantage of playing in Columbus, a veteran QB and they've been through some real scraps. I still prefer M even if there's a part of me that thinks they've basically skated the entire season. They got to play CU's backup cold in the 2nd half and played PSU when their LBs were crippled. So there's a part of me that's holding out some hope. But, I still think M just has a better roster and they'll win.

[Pasadena Blue]

I have been saying that since the day that Harbaugh was hired.

This is our last chance to win before 2019. Recruiting is really going to catch up with us next year and probably the year after.

I think there is mostly consensus on this point (Detroit Dan, excepted). Unfortunately, O-State and Urbz are too formidable for Harbaugh to make it happen this year, so we have to hope for 2019.

The only difference between your perspective and mine is that you seem to be disappointed with Harbaugh and feel we would be better with someone else .. not sure who that would be.

The reality is that timing is everything. O-state was fortunate to grab Urbz and grab him at a great time, and he was able to get far out ahead.

[WingsFan]

I think the game plan is to continue showing multiple offensive sets and motion/shifts to make the OSU defense uncomfortable. I believe they have been slowly game planning for OSU all year. The same plays we see every Sat are going to have some new wrinkles or used as fakes to set up new ones (i.e McDoom jet sweep). The way Speight is slinging it right now, they will put up points.

I think the key is not the offense, but rather the defense vs JTB and what to do with Peppers? Spy JT? Can Don Brown dial up a scheme to keep him in the pocket and force him to make the correct play calls at the line? This is where the Don Brown move needs to pay dividends.

[Buckeye Paul]

The wolverweenies and the Buckeyes are both top teams this year, yet this forum is as boring as an Eastern Michigan-Akron football game. A hollow shell of what it used to be.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Objective analysis can be boring, Paul.

[iam416]

Interesting stat to me at least. The top 3 opponent-adjusted performances this season are:

1. Louisville-FSU
2. OSU-UNL
3. M-PSU

Clemson barely beat FSU on the road. They beat Louisville at home.

Wisconsin barely beat UNL at home in OT. OSU barely beat Wisky on the road on OT.

Ohio State barely lost at PSU. TBD against M.

[Buckeye Paul]

Objective analysis can be boring, Paul.

Yes, and "objective" analysis is all you've got. We used to have fun. Where are the stories from fans about how they came to love their team? Where are the fun rivalry stories? The highs we felt when our teams won the big games, and the lows when we lost them. Does anyone here actually remember when we bet userpics on the big game? It was so much fun and we either had fun laughing or had fun grumbling when our team won or lost. I cannot imagine doing something like that here now. It used to seem like more of you were friends with each other as opposed to just people who happen to comment in the same forum. I don't get that sense anymore, either. Am I wrong about all of this? If so, please tell me.

[iam416]

I lost user pics to AA on a Bama game a month ago.

It oscillates wildly from smackfest to respectful dialogue. OP generally pushed the smackfest.

[Jeff Buchanan]

.........It used to seem like more of you were friends with each other as opposed to just people who happen to comment in the same forum. I don't get that sense anymore, either. Am I wrong about all of this? If so, please tell me.

Well, I am friends, meaning I have met and socialized with, several posters here. I see Mike Smith, who is no longer posting here, frequently at tail gates. We both love M football. Not sure any of that is relevant to the question of what value this forum offers to its participants. Each to his own I guess.

What's gone from here are several things (1) whining because the posters here are mature enough to not do it. (2) Blowing uncontested cheery sunshine up the ass of M fans..... you can get that at mgoboards. (3) Bias and misapplication of poorly defined posting rules. (4) Mindless, self promoting, off topic posts that take over a thread and while they might have been humorous or colorful to some were of little interest to most posters here.

This is a football and world affairs forum where the intention is to talk football, primarily BIG10 football, and exchange ideas about that and any number of happenings in the world. I think we have a good deal of fun here. We've got participants from our BT rivals, well intentioned smack, and great contribution from a member of the SEC - even if he roots for Alabama and the Debile hisself, Nick Saban. It may not be the kind of fun everyone is looking for and I respect that.

[Pasadena Blue]

I think a bad decade of misery has also sucked the joy out on the M side. If you want it back Paul, I suggest you hope for the Bucks to lose a few.

[jaadam4]

As good as Speight has been this season, he won't see a defense like the one in C-Bus until he's there under fire. JT Barrett and the Buckeyes will roll.

Maybe it's different because we were at home but I think Wisc will end up being the best D we play during the regular season.

[jaadam4]

OiHo no doubt will be the best offense and team we play in the reg season

[Detroit Dan]

In my experience it seems like the prevailing, incontrovertible belief amongst the M fanbase is HARBAUGH!!!!! T... I still prefer M even if there's a part of me that thinks they've basically skated the entire season...I still think M just has a better roster and they'll win.

Very well said. Michigan is better, and you know it.

As for HARBAUGH, you also know that he is a better coach than Meyer. Meyer is good, maybe great. But Harbaugh is in a different class with his ability to dominate where it counts in college football -- public relations.

Of course I could be wrong. Just joking around.

[Detroit Dan]

I think there is mostly consensus on this point (Detroit Dan, excepted). Unfortunately, O-State and Urbz are too formidable for Harbaugh to make it happen this year, so we have to hope for 2019.

Right. And some people here were worried about Michigan State. Michigan State!

[iam416]

First time I've had to root against Zeke. F him.