Seth Fisher appreciation thread
Seth had a brief dialogue today on the WTKA MGoBlog round table podcast from approximately the 11-13 minute mark that summarized the difference between Ohio State’s current program and Michigan’s current program. He talks about the qualities of love and positivity versus a culture based on hatred and manipulative narratives. Listening to it was actually quite moving, and it revealed to me that Seth sees a much bigger picture here. On a metaphysical level, many of us believe that love conquers hate. Saturday’s victory was reflective of that, and it was a beautiful and special moment in the history of this rivalry and in the history of sport. No one has articulated that the way that Seth just did, and I I’m so glad that I was able to listen to it. Seth is not only the hardest working man around in sports-writing, he is also a brilliant man with a unique perspective on things that are good and noble. Thanks Seth for your hard work and for sharing your immense talent with us.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
My ex wife was a Buckeye alum. I got to know a lot of their fan base. Spent a lot of time in Ohio.
They are all awful. Every goddamn one of em. Bad people. Heavily biased to their in-group type people, short on empathy.
I was walking through my local deli in suburban Philadelphia the Sunday before the game wearing my michigan hat and an employee yelled at me from behind the counter "GO BUCKEYES" in a tone that you would only use with someone you wanted to fight. I turned and couldn't help but bust out laughing and give a frienfly "Go Blue".
The null hypothesis, that the two fan bases are actually the same and only perceive each other as being bad, does not hold up to evidence. We are different types of people.
Fuck Ohio to death.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:44 PM ^
we might have been married to the same one....
November 30th, 2023 at 1:08 PM ^
Seth's guarantee at the end of one of the podcasts last year got me through the Game, and I respect how much work he puts in. His articles are super detailed, he shows up at WTKA with a couple anecdotes every time. Seth does the work.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:08 PM ^
Hear! Hear! Totally agree. I also loved the section where Sam asked which team was the worst match up for Michigan and everyone said Oregon, except for Seth. He said nobody but Michigan. That's the vibe, my man!
November 30th, 2023 at 1:09 PM ^
Seth is amazing.
For a long time I thought of this blog as Brian and co. (no offense to previous folks).
But Seth has contributed so much, it's changed my view.
Bravo, Seth, bravo!
November 30th, 2023 at 1:09 PM ^
Not to be a nasty cynic, but if you examine recorded history and conclude that "love conquers hate," well, more power to you...
November 30th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
well, actually the world has had many examples of that.
if you look about you, the amount of social progress since, say a few hundred years ago, is astounding. Doesn't mean the world is perfect; doesn't mean that hate doesn't exist; doesn't mean the bad guys don't win sometimes.
As MLK said:
The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
I don't think humanity is likely to see the end of that "justice arc," but I could certainly be wrong!
November 30th, 2023 at 1:33 PM ^
History books focus on wars and atrocities and the bad times, because they are when stories of heroism and perseverance occur. But there are billions of people who were born to loving families, came together to meet some hardship and strike out to find themselves, then settled down and created their own loving families before dying. Really gifted writers can bring their stories alive, but it's much easier to make a story about Napoleon. Even though there were plenty of peaceful times in France's history.
Seriously - most Roman histories focus on the civil wars or the fall of the west. There aren't too many stories set during the reigns of the 5 good emperors.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:36 PM ^
"There aren't too many stories set during the reigns of the 5 good emperors..." Weren't there like 70 Roman emperors? And only 5 good ones??? I am not sure this undermines my core point. :-D
November 30th, 2023 at 2:13 PM ^
Pretty sure you're joking but just in case, there were other great Roman emperors, Aurelian, Diocletian, Constantine, Claudius, Augustus, Tiberius. But the height of Rome was the 5 good emperors, and the average citizen prospered and had their daily ration of wine and bread, and while there were those who toiled in terror and violence generally the Empire was well administered, safe and boring for a period of 80 years.
Another example - 5 of the 6 "great mughal" emperors reigned in an unbroken chain lasting 250 years. The 8th mughal managed the empire well for another 6 years. The next 4 mughals reigned for 7 declining years, and the 13th mughal lost his empire in 20 years, and then ruled the next 10 mainly as a figurehead and mayor of Delhi.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:50 PM ^
So a being emperor is like playing safety - the good ones are boring?
November 30th, 2023 at 4:32 PM ^
haha, i think historians like Trajan but popular culture finds him boring. But there CAN be great emperors who MAKE PLAYS - as a presidential example, Lincoln was not boring but was probably the greatest. But life when Lincoln was president was more dramatic and deadly than under, say, Rutherford Hayes or the many presidents of the gilded age, who are widely considered as ineffective.
My point is more that the best of times are boring and prosperous, and so when we focus on history we focus on the dramatic which tend to involve some horrifying events, and we get a false idea that history is just those events. But it also includes the happier times, they just aren't talked about as often.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
The long game has proven that over time, actually.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:17 PM ^
Did you also know that every war throughout history was won by the good guys? What are the chances of that?
November 30th, 2023 at 1:18 PM ^
For some reason comments like yours (to which I can relate) often bring this Onion piece to mind:
https://www.theonion.com/teach-for-america-chews-up-spits-out-another-ethnic-st-1819567728
November 30th, 2023 at 1:11 PM ^
Totally concur. Really appreciated Seth's commentary.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:17 PM ^
I loved that bit and it really highlighted what I've loved about these teams the last 3 years. My enjoyment of Michigan football has been on another level these last 3 years because of the culture established - and I think it might be understated how much JJ's outlook and personality have influenced Jim Harbaugh and this team. He might be one of the most important figures in UM football history.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^
I told him on Twitter he's a gift to humanity and I think he thought I was being cheeky. I wasn't. Totally meant it.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
You can’t tell a Marxist /s he is a gift to humanity….what did you expect.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^
Hear hear!
November 30th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
Seth, thank you.
If I was to ask a question, it would be - Who was instrumental in the change in Michigan’s culture?
IMO, a lot of people were Change Agents. First, Aidan Hutchinson, Coach Harbaugh and the changes to the staff with more youth / younger coaches, every player on the roster, Biff Poggi - the muse, and the supporting staff. It’s truly been a team effort.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^
Excellent post. These are the keys to the seismic, palpable change after the COVID year.
I would add the clear changes in Coach Harbaugh's demeanor / attitude as well as his increased targeting of the OSU game as the key to the season. This all happened before the 2021 season.
Add in also the emergence of leaders like Corum and JJ in 2022 and you have a continuance of the overwhelmingly positive culture of the program.
This is why it's very important that Harbaugh stays -- it's highly probable that we will need to reload with high-quality coaches, and new player-leaders will have to step up to be guides and mentors. This is all more likely to happen under Harbaugh's leadership.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:39 PM ^
Poggi had a lot to do with it. JJ had a lot to do with it too, in that he brought a ton of positivity to that recruiting class. And John Behee gave Harbaugh his book on Fielding Yost and his approach to coaching, which I think open Harbaugh's eyes to ways of coaching beyond the way Bo did it. And someone close to him said a Hard Knocks episode was the catalyst. I think it was a lot of things.
I went through a similar kind of thing in 2020, where I had to change my approach and outlook on life to adapt to COVID and losing Ace, and having Brian going through the worst patch in his life all at the same time. I think when you're in that mode of "I can't keep doing what I'm doing" is when you're most open to new ideas, and the ideas that come to you don't just come from one vector.
He's not the first coach to come to this by the way. Pete Carroll built the early 2000s USC dynasty this way too.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:24 PM ^
I’m glad you made a thread on this Indy Pete.
You could hear the passion in Seth’s voice and he expressed so well the way I and much of those who follow the program so closely feel about what we have and how we are better than OSU.
Harbaugh has built a program with coaches and kids that should make a parent want their kids to be a part of. Bo’s speech was not cliche and Harbaugh lives it.
Not only will they get developed as players but they will get developed as people.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:29 PM ^
"Brilliant man."
Whoooh. It's getting hot in here!
November 30th, 2023 at 1:29 PM ^
Yesh, I agree. I heard his dialogue live this a.m. snd he was spot on. I've thought for a long time there's just too much hate in the rivalry. It used to be spirited but civil pre-Woody. Aside from that though, Seth was spot on about how they dwell on negative factors that either they concoct or they can't control - vs. being introspective and trying to solve why they can't beat Michigan.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:31 PM ^
"For he's a jolly good fellow..." Everybody!
November 30th, 2023 at 1:32 PM ^
I'm so happy this thread got started. I was thinking of the Mgoblog crew earlier today and feel like the contributors on this site had a legendary season from a writing, coverage and content creation standpoint.
Seth, my man, I promise I'm not a weirdo. But if I ever see you in public, I will probably hug you (but if you back away, I will *totally* respect your space and will abort the embrace).
You are a total dude, thanks for all that you do.
If I see any of the Mgo team at a restaurant, I will be paying their bill in the least creepy way possible. If I'm out in public, that will mean I'll be with my wife and teenage daughter, so they'll prevent me from making things too weird.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:47 PM ^
Now I gotta find out what restaurants you frequent. Hugs are cool. There was one reader who was running emergency vehicles during the peak of COVID, like FRONT FRONT lines when body bags were piling up in hospitals, and I messaged him to thank him, and then when we met up for a game in early 2021 it was like all of the shit pent up over the last year came in a giant dude hug. One of my best friends made on the blog and meeting up in Seattle for sailgating next year.
Also David and I now have a 3-year tradition going on where when we come in to podcast after the Ohio State game there's a big celebratory hug first.
Only problem I have with hugs is I was planning on proposing on the Pont des Artes and was reaching into my pocket to do the thing and then this fella walks by and my wife is all about getting our free hugs and by the time we got ours (other people got to go first) it started to drizzle and I had to wait and do it in the center court of the Louvre an hour later.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
Hahahaha, yes! I think we're going to Cottage Inn on Saturday, I'll look out for you (inserts gif of JJ making the binocular gesture at Penn State)
That's an awesome proposal story. Your sports-brain absolutely helped you out there. Perfect plan, but you had to make an audible based on what the defense (weather) was giving you. Proposing in front of the Louvre is like Michigan running play-action on first down - always the correct call.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:34 PM ^
After I was leaving the field on Saturday, I hear a voice asking me if I needed a hand up the wall. I look up and I see Jewish Jesus Mr Seth Fisher helping my wife up over the wall. The biggest smile on his face and tears in his eyes. I don't know if I've met someone as passionate about this team as he is.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^
Please don't mistake me for Jesus. I'm the *other* Jew born on Christmas. Also did you happen to notice whom I was next to? Big Nut. The guy Patrick keeps photographing. Talking to him was where a lot of that rant came from, because that dude just unreservedly loves his Buckeyes, uses any notoriety he gets from dressing as he does to get things for charities that need them. He didn't care to read about all the buildup to the game; he just goes and cheers for his guys to win, and stands there until they leave the field so they know he's behind them. It's like, man, if they had more guys like that in their program they'd be unstoppable.
November 30th, 2023 at 4:49 PM ^
I think he was gone by the time I saw you. Great to hear that about Big Nut though. Sounds like a great dude.
you’ve also restored my faith in people born on Dec 25th given that the 2 I currently know off the top of my head are Trudeau and my mother-in-law…
November 30th, 2023 at 1:41 PM ^
Love only conquers hate when life be is talented, determined, and disciplined.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
Thank You, Comrade, Seth.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:51 PM ^
BET SETH
November 30th, 2023 at 1:51 PM ^
"Only love can kill the demon."
--Mickey Knox
November 30th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^
This is all getting a little weird.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:01 PM ^
Lol.
Next post -
"OT - I got this really good Kool Aid, want to try it? Just stack your clothes and shoes at the end of your bunk and wait for the comet to fly over."
First reply -
"Hell yeah I'll have a cup! ! Life is good. Not like that cult over on 11W!"
November 30th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^
Agreed Indy Pete, well stated!
November 30th, 2023 at 2:14 PM ^
Go, Blue!
Beat Iowa.
Lovingly.
[P.S. Yay, Seth! And yay, Brian! And yay, &tc.!]
November 30th, 2023 at 2:20 PM ^
As much as anyone, Seth has been responsible for maintaining the quality of the material on the site at the highest of levels. Thanks for everything you've done, Seth!!
November 30th, 2023 at 2:26 PM ^
Thank you, Seth! This blog wouldn’t be this blog without you.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:36 PM ^
Yo Seth, you are fucking fantastic! Love the fan boy approach mixed with the data and X-O foundation. This keeps things fun and informative.
Your hard work is much appreciated.
Go Blue!
November 30th, 2023 at 2:39 PM ^
To compare this or any other football game to a cosmic/karmic/spiritual struggle between love and hate, good and evil, is just plain silly. Can we please stop trying to attach narratives to a sporting contest. If you want to search out the deeper meanings to life, go to a church/synagogue/mosque, not a football game.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:48 PM ^
Here here... three cheers for Seth!
November 30th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
When watching Seth, you can tell how much joy he gets out of talking Michigan football and analyzing plays. It makes reading this blog that much more fun.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:55 PM ^
I like Seth and appreciate his work and approve this message.
GREAT CONTENT HERE always, but ESPECIALLY this year.
Go Blue, Go MgoBlog!
November 30th, 2023 at 2:59 PM ^
Seth is awesome.
That's all.
Brian too, but this thread is about Seth.