OT: Who is your #2 college football team and why?
I put this as OT since it is not immediately about UM football, but is blog relevant since it gives broader understanding about those who post here:
Parents are not supposed to have favorite children, but this is football and most of us here have already chosen UM as our main team/program. However, is there another team out there that is almost (or equally) dear to you, either within the Big Ten or in all of CFB (EDIT: OR WHO ELSE DO YOU DISLIKE THE LEAST)? What drew you to have this mixed loyalty - and who do you support if UM and this other team play? This question is also valid for those here that have another team as their primary and UM second - how did that come about?
For me, I have a stronger appreciation for NW than most other programs. They enforce academic standards more than most, they are more amicable than many other P5 fanbases, no great UM emnity, some degree of on field success, and seem to be genuinely interested in the student's long term prospects beyond their playing career. While these characteristics describe many other schools also, a more personal aspect is that 1) I have several alums in my extended family and 2) almost chose to go there for grad school (did not have the specialization I really wanted though). Regardless, I am still pleased when UM soundly pummels them - now possibly twice in one season.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:21 PM ^
I want Texas to win because I live in Austin and have wanted there to be buzz around the football team down here since I moved down. But now that I'm leaving in the next few months that dream is dead.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:25 PM ^
But basketball season will be another story. We beat that school in the first round a couple years ago or so. Never know.
September 5th, 2017 at 7:18 PM ^
Its Wofford
September 5th, 2017 at 9:15 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 9:38 PM ^
BOOM! - Ahhh
U.S.M.A. Rah! Rah!
U.S.M.A. Rah! Rah!
Hoo-Rah! Hoo-Rah!
AR-MAY! Rah!
Team! Team! Team!
Go Army, Beat Navy!
September 5th, 2017 at 9:50 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^
Ohio U, I received a great education and landed the best possible job for my field.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:32 PM ^
I grew up rooting for Purdue since a number of family members including my dad went there - this was around the early Joe Tiller days when Drew Brees/Kyle Orton were the QBs, so not the worst time to be a fan.
Haven't really followed them from the time I arrived at Michigan though apart from periodically checking a box score or catching part of a game if my dad's watching.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:35 PM ^
grew up a huge notre dame fan but didnt get in. went to michigan just in time for them to go 3-9 my freshman year. still became a michigan fan. great times.
ND is still my second favorite team, although my interest in their games wanes with every passing year.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 5:34 PM ^
great school, evanston is a nice town, love lake michigan, and if we hadn't landed the ultimate coach in harbaugh, pat fitzgerald would've been my next pick.
September 6th, 2017 at 8:20 AM ^
I also root for Northwestern, but not due to any personal connections. I like them because:
(1) They are a great academic institution;
(2) There is never any inkling of scandal or cheating in their programs;
(3) They are perennial underdogs;
(4) Pat Fitzgerald appears to have tremendous character and integrity; and
(5) They have a cute high school stadium.
September 6th, 2017 at 9:56 AM ^
one of the more exciting games i ever saw was at that stadium 25 yrs ago. fans were great, easy to get to, fun.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 5:37 PM ^
Michigan kinda consumes everything. I've had some sympathetic feelings for LSU and Texas A&M and have attended games there; I suppose in otherwise neutral matchups I pull for them, but with LSU in particular it's hard to root for them at all given how corrupt I believe their program to be.
But honestly my main concern is what's best for Michigan. Since I live in Minnesota I don't mind seeing the Gophers do well against other teams, but I'm pretty detached.
So I guess the only other team I actively care about the results of now is UMD, a local Division 2 power. I'm pretty fair-weather but I dropped in on their game last Thursday (a top-25 matchup with Sioux Falls that turned into a dreary offense-free loss) and care about how they do. And I followed their most recent D-2 championship run pretty closely, braving the brutal windchills to watch an electric playoff win over NW Mo St 5 or 6 years ago.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:38 PM ^
I'm not really a fan, but I root for BYU. I mean, I'm Mormon and live in Provo so yea.
But everytime I even try to watch them on TV I either die with boredom or think how sucky it must be to be a die hard BYU fan
September 5th, 2017 at 5:43 PM ^
I work with many BYU grads who are solid fans and nice people so I pull for the Cougs. I also live among many WSU grads and pull for those Cougs as well because they know about suffering (and often lose in spectacular fashion) and Mike Leach makes me laugh.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:52 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 6:01 PM ^
September 6th, 2017 at 2:10 AM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 5:41 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 10:09 PM ^
One of my cousins played there in the early '70s. Beautiful setting for football ...
September 5th, 2017 at 5:42 PM ^
I like Beavers myself
September 5th, 2017 at 5:45 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 5:46 PM ^
im with the people who have rooting interests based on results. Namely ones that affect Michigan.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:47 PM ^
Grew up in that area, fond of IU and wish them the best. Conveniently usually not a threat to UM so there is minimal conflict of interest.
Hoops, however, are a different story.
September 5th, 2017 at 6:50 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 5:47 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 5:48 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 5:49 PM ^
because I live here...I did like LSU until they fired Les
September 5th, 2017 at 5:53 PM ^
Oklahoma- best friend from college went OU for law school, been to a few games...he cheers for UM I cheer for OU
Alabama- I know I know...but I have a cousin I idolized go there (and graduate in 1.5 years) in early 2000's. Plus I love the idea of a Goliath that college football is collectively trying to slay.
September 5th, 2017 at 6:01 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 10:36 PM ^
I'm a fan of Oklahoma State as well. One child is an MSU grad, the other two are Oklahoma State grads (I live in Oklahoma). Mike Gundy does a great job year in and year out without many top recruits.
September 6th, 2017 at 8:23 AM ^
Unfortunately, now that T. Boone Pickens has funded the enitre football program and they are achieving some modicum of success, they are going to become a lot less easy to root for. Mark my words, success changes people.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:58 PM ^
For football, the Hokies, since I now live in Virginia and my son is a student there. Third would be West Point, since I retired from the Army.
In basketball, it's Kansas, since that's where I got my grad degree.
September 5th, 2017 at 5:58 PM ^
They face an uphill battle for recruits. I'm a veteran; can't help being patriotic in this regard. In reality, all three academy schools should probably be playing in the FCS instead of FBS. I wouldn't think any less of them.
No, I am not pulling for AFA against UM. My patriotism has its limits!
September 5th, 2017 at 6:02 PM ^
My second favorite sports team is Michigan basketball (Never forget Rumeal Robinson sinking those free throws).
My third favorite sports team is the Los Angeles Lakers.
I used to love the Detroit Lions, but William Clay Ford did everything possible to ruin that.
Glad for the WMU Broncos, but not really invested.
Happy for the Pistons because...swagger (Never will forget Adrian Dantley in the low post, and always liked Isiah Thomas.)
Still like the Tigers and Red Wings from a distance. You never forget heroes like Al Kaline and Gordie Howe (who I was fortunate to meet and speak with, in a state of awe, at Olympia Stadium).
September 5th, 2017 at 6:03 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 6:08 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 6:09 PM ^
They gave me a degree.
Grew up going to pretty much every Michigan home game, but wanted to go somewhere warmer for school. Would still root for Michigan if they ever played each other.
September 5th, 2017 at 6:14 PM ^
Alabama, because I went to school there after graduating from Michigan. However, I proudly (at first, and then sadly) wore the Maize and Blue in a bar in Tuscaloosa during the game in Dallas. Michigan is my #1, and it is not close. Go Blue! Roll Tide!
September 5th, 2017 at 6:14 PM ^
Linfield - 60 consecutive winning seasons
September 5th, 2017 at 6:17 PM ^
but after watching the special on the revival of UAB football. I will be keeping tabs on them.
September 5th, 2017 at 6:20 PM ^
Central Michigan.
September 5th, 2017 at 6:25 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 6:26 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 6:27 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 6:27 PM ^
Michigan is my second favorite team. I have lived my whole life in Georgia and graduated from GA Tech (yes, I'm sitll licking the wounds from Monday night). Tech is in my blood, but I have friendly connections in Michigan and have attended games there for the past decade.
September 5th, 2017 at 7:19 PM ^
September 5th, 2017 at 6:31 PM ^