I pointed out yesterday that this weekend was probably the least enthusiastic I've felt for a football Saturday (at least in the Harbaugh era), but that this feeling was still, you know, fine. I tailgated for eight hours, drank some cheap champagne while watching some noon games on my phone, saw a bunch of friends. It was delightful. The game was frustrating but fine. I watched the end of the Rocky Mountain showdown on the floor of the Detroit airport at 1:30 in the morning. I think a lot of us are burned out from two straight years of non-meaningful non-conference schedules. But much like a pizza (and some other unnamed metaphors), even when it's not that good, it's still pretty good.
If there's ever something we'll remember this game for, though, it was the stadium lights. The new maize and blue strobe lights were put into effect and boy did the stadium operators try to get their money's worth.
One criticism of the Rutgers Shi Stadium experience (real words I just typed) were the strobe lights after a touchdown. They were a bit much. I don't think we've gone full Rutger, never go full Rutger. But we are fully flirting with Rutger ideations.
I sat in my seat for a few minutes after the game had ended and they just... kept on going.
The game has ended and the lights have been doing this for like a solid two minutes pic.twitter.com/qSjVqnRQtz
By now you've seen the smiley faces everywhere that JJ McCarthy has branded, the reminder to just go out there, have fun, and smile more. It was a beautiful little gesture that took a seven year old to remind us. A friend that I tailgate with brings an extra sharpie just in case anyone would like to draw their own smiley face for the game. After all, it's just sports, right?
At the UNLV game, for JJ, it was about more than just sports.
Yesterday, JJ McCarthy replaced his signature smiley face with something more powerful, the number 47 to honor his childhood friend, Ryan Keeler. Ryan died of arrhythmia this past February at the age of 20. JJ and Ryan played football in high school together and Ryan would go on to commit to Rutgers and eventually transfer to UNLV for the 2023 season. Saturday was supposed to be a fun reunion, instead it was an emotional day. A more in-depth story can be found at the Michigan Daily and is worth the read.
They talked about it on the broadcast, and then this happened.
If you'd like to support us, one of the simplest things you can do is follow us on social media (links just below) where we post way more photos than here. In the offseason I also do a LOT of wildlife/national park photography. While we're not allowed to sell any of our sports photos per our credential agreement (sorry to anyone who reached out asking about one), I sell prints from my adventures which I sell on FineArtAmerica. You can buy prints (or just look at some pretty pictures) here: Patrick Barron Art Collections Or if you'd like, you can simply support me by buying me a coffee!
Randy and Jason Sklar are joining us because they have a show at the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase tonight, and two more tomorrow. They are also tailgating with us tomorrow at Venue.Tickets to all three shows are available here.
Tailgate Info for Tomorrow
Venue by 4M (1919 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor—just at the end of the Stadium Blvd bridge. Starts at 12:30 PM. Venue will have food and drinks and parking for purchase. They have parking for $50 until it fills up. Anyone can come to the tailgate, but if you aren't seeing the Sklars live this weekend you have to give us a hot take in the hot take voice.
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