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MGoPodcast 15.16: The Perfect Season Comment Count

BlueBarron January 11th, 2024 at 5:11 AM

3 hours and 18 minutes

The Sponsors

Thank you to Underground Printing for making this all possible. Rishi and Ryan have been our biggest supporters from the beginning. Check out their wide selection of officially licensed Michigan fan gear at their 3 store locations in Ann Arbor or learn about their custom apparel business at undergroundshirts.com.

Our associate sponsors are: Peak Wealth Management, Matt Demorest - Realtor and Lender, Ann Arbor Elder Law, Michigan Law Grad, The Phil Klein Insurance Group, Winewood Organics, Human Element, Sharon's Heating & Air Conditioning, Venue by 4M where we recorded this, The Nose Bleeds, which is the Sklars Bros’ reboot of Cheap Seats on UFC Fight Pass, and Autograph: Fandom Rewarded, who just launched an app where you earn rewards for things like reading MGoBlog and listening to this podcast.

1. National Championship Feels

Starts at 1:00

"Bring us home, Blake." He did it just like in the Ohio State, Penn State, and Alabama games. And then Mikey got an interception. A perfect moment in a perfect season. JJ's tweet was right, everyone just take a breath and relax after the last 20 years. So many guys came back to make this possible, and that's the culture of this program. Everyone who stepped up did when they needed to. Michigan's diversity of what they do on offense might be unmatched anywhere else in the country, and part of that is because so many people stick around. We call Blake Corum a perfect human being but Mike Sainristil is the same thing. This program has developed so many dudes who are going to the NFL that most people would not have expected. If you re-ranked these recruiting classes, how much higher would Michigan jump? Michigan fans really showed up for all the playoff games and events. 

[The rest of the writeup and the player after THE JUMP]

 

2. Defense vs Washington

Starts at 45:54

We start with the defense this time because the defense was incredible this game. What more can you even say about Jesse Minter and the players at this point? Everybody eats. Penix was in bad shape by the end of the game, Jaylen Harrell chased him down after the game to congratulate him on a good game. Keon Sabb had a bad missed tackle on Washington's first drive but made up for it later. Michigan seemed to plan this season around playing 15 games with all their substitutions to keep everyone fresh. It also helped that a lot of starters didn't have to play most 4th quarters this year. Washington was not able to just toss up the ball and have their receivers go get it, which is a big part of their game. Penix was uncomfortable all game and it brought his game down. Washington had open guys but it wasn't the guys Penix were expecting to be open. Read 1 --> Read 2 --> Uh oh Mason Graham. Besides a couple misses, this team tackled so well and have all season. How did a wide receiver become the Honey Badger?? Washington does have a great screen game. 

The best defense since 1997. 

3. Offense vs Washington

Starts at 1:32:46

A re-run of the Rose Bowl but more explosive. They looked a little nervous about passing the ball. One of these Washington linebackers apparently has never seen duo before. Michigan never really fully incorporated a JJ run game which was frustrating. Donovan Edwards, you've been sandbagging us all year! We don't care when you cut, but please just cut. Seven minutes into this game, Donovan Edwards had won the national championship. According to SP+ this is the best Michigan team since 1902 and the first team to hold every opponent to under 25 points since 1904 Minnesota. How many teams are losing their best offensive lineman and not seeing a drop-off? Michigan's transfer portal scouting was nuts, so many dudes did so well. JJ didn't torch this defense but he didn't need to, he also had a good YPA. 

4. Game Theory, Special Teams, and Feels

Starts at 2:10:52

WARNING: This segment gets really misty towards the end.

That was the most annoying punter Michigan has ever faced. The care for special teams feels like it really dropped off this year. Decision making was pretty much by the book, though. Onto vibes, nobody has ever felt as good as this because nobody else has ever felt as bad. Reminiscing on some of the bleakest times of the Harbaugh era because they're part of what make this so sweet. Now let us stop wallowing. An impromptu gimmicky top five of "favorite moments of the season." 

We talk about how we're feeling right now. There is a very good chance you will cry during it. I did.
 

MUSIC:

  • “Win”— David Bowie
  • “Down, Up!”— BabyTron
  • “We're a Winner”—  The Impressions
  • “Across 110th Street”
THE USUAL LINKS:


"The Malört of punting. You know, it looks ugly but it'll get you there."

Comments

outsidethebox

January 11th, 2024 at 7:52 AM ^

I know a lot about athletic competition and playing smart is my wheelhouse...this team confounds me. Their intelligent, disciplined play is at a level that I have never seen...game after game after game...play after play after play-they just keep making the plays. This game cannot be played to perfection-and they were far from it yet they ALWAYS maintained composure and overcame their mistakes. This is not to be taken lightly-not on the field of play nor in life beyond.

There are suggestions that this team is among consideration for being the best ever. In attempting to calculate the value of the individual components there is great doubt. "Well, we could be better here...and here and here..." But then you look at the summation of the final results and you have to say "Holy cow, this team was dominant. I don't know exactly how they got there but this was/is one incredible team." Here, the whole is surely greater than the sum of the parts.

In the end, I believe this season can most aptly be distilled down to two significant, well-three, factors: 1 and 2) Character and intelligence. I continually point people, questioning/doubting people, to the interviews of Chris, Mikey, Blake, JJ and Will...and instruct them that intelligence and character matter, matter greatly, on the athletic field. And these five may be the superstars in this category but there are many others right "below" them. JJ embracing his former teammate, the Bama OL. Jalen tracking down Penix in the tunnel to offer support. Then, the #3 that I almost let slip by: Character and intelligence transfers to play on the field for a reason-a huge, critical reason.  Michigan has an elite coaching staff. I had the great fortune of playing for a HS basketball coach who, wonderfully, put together all the components of building great teams. Elite play does not just happen by falling randomly out of the sky. Great teams are well-coached.

End of rant.

Joined: 01/23/2017

MGoPoints: 18818

omahablue

January 11th, 2024 at 8:14 AM ^

I was able to listen to the first 25 minutes on way into work (on shitty roads btw). I have an interview at 10:00 for a big promotion. Instead of prepping for interview, I just want to finish listening to this podcast! I want to continue basking in these moments "with" people who care about Michigan like I do. 

Alas, interview prep will continue, but I'm eager to listen to the rest of the pod!

 

Joined: 07/11/2008

MGoPoints: 1016

Logan88

January 11th, 2024 at 8:26 AM ^

Sometimes it is the people who no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine.

This quote from the Imitation Game film has been resonating with me since Monday evening vis a vis the 2023 Michigan Wolverines.

I know UM was actually ranked pretty highly at the beginning of the season and considered a "good" team but most pundits kept turning back to those blue chip ratios and pointing out that UM just didn't have enough elite talent to compete against the likes of OSU, Bama and Georgia to win it all.

Joined: 01/05/2009

MGoPoints: 8078

ironman4579

January 11th, 2024 at 8:29 AM ^

I think the crying about special teams is recency bias and hyper focusing on punt returns.  Michigan was still what, top 10? in special teams s&p.  Michigan missed like one field goal all year.  Tommy Doman was an amazing punter and punt coverage was mostly excellent.  Kickoff coverage was stopping returns at the 10-15 yard line routinely.  The only issue they had was the punt return team, and frankly acting like Michigan's special teams were rough because of one aspect when the others were anywhere from god to excellent is like saying the offense struggled because they had some problems with outside zone.

Joined: 11/08/2009

MGoPoints: 3875

bighouseinmate

January 11th, 2024 at 9:11 AM ^

The recency bias in the special teams is a little frustrating, including the punt return phase of it. Michigan ran into the #2 special teams unit, per S&P, including a ray guy award semifinalist against Alabama. Couple that with a particularly poor showing by Michigan’s punt returners in fielding the football (uncharacteristic for them this season), and it led to looking bad in that game when they really weren’t. Then in the cfp finals they ran into a punter who was dropping dimes between the line and returners that then bounced straight towards the end zone. Given michigans struggle fielding the punts against Alabama it’s no surprise they weren’t confident in trying to field those skipping shots the Washington punter was kicking all night. 
 

But other than those two games, Michigan’s punt returns have been solid, if unspectacular for most of the season.

Joined: 12/19/2008

MGoPoints: 5001

gbdub

January 11th, 2024 at 6:18 PM ^

The punt return performance against Alabama was uncharacteristically bad, but being bad was not uncharacteristic. They were bad all year - not that bad, but not good. 

Everyone let way too many balls drop, ceding a lot of field position. And some weak decisions to fair catch - sometimes too deep, sometimes when there was a good chance to return  

Morgan of course is an electric returner but lacks the sure hands and decision making. He’ll probably be very good next year with more practice, so I’m not that worried, but thinking the punt return performance is poor is not recency bias. 

On the other hand, field goals have been fine all year, and Doman has generally boomed KOs. Punts and punt coverage have also been good - a step back from last year but, duh, both our kickers got drafted. 

Joined: 02/16/2010

MGoPoints: 26776

David F

January 11th, 2024 at 8:33 AM ^

"Bring us home, Blake." 

An epic summation of that moment.

I've been reading MGoBlog since my senior year of high school (2003-04), met Brian way back when in 2004 or so when I was a freshman living in South Quad, and recently returned to Ann Arbor. I have now read MGoBlog every day for 2+ decades, yet overall it has been a pretty dark 20 years of football. But Blake brought us home!

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 414

6th Blagdon

January 11th, 2024 at 8:41 AM ^

I was fine until I heard the "Bring Us Home, Blake" line.  So yeah I got misty 3 minutes into the podcast.  I'm only 20 minutes deep and stuck at work now.  Can't wait to listen to the remaining 180 minutes.  Thanks again for this guys... this is the podcast I've been waiting for a decade to listen to

Joined: 11/01/2016

MGoPoints: 1051

MGoBlue-querque

January 11th, 2024 at 8:42 AM ^

ERECT!!

 

Dammit Seth!! I didn't expect to cry during this!! 

Well done. Thanks for this epic EPIC podcast. I'll listen to this one a couple times, and will probably tear up again each time. 

Joined: 12/05/2012

MGoPoints: 12200

1VaBlue1

January 11th, 2024 at 9:35 AM ^

Isn't ALL of this self-indulgent?  We're grown men (and women) following teenagers and young adults like we're part of what they're doing.  They're playing for themselves.  You're podcasting because you have to talk about what they did.  We're listening because we want to know what you guys think about what they did.

We're all self-indulging.  Don't be shy about it...

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127596

From Far Away

January 11th, 2024 at 10:12 AM ^

Thanks for sharing that, Seth. My father passed away a few years back, and while I never watched Michigan games with him (and I doubt that he ever understood the concept of college football in his life), I would always talk to him after any big events I attended (games, festivals, trips, etc.). I wish I could have talked to him after the Rose Bowl and the national championship. 
 

Also I sat next to you at the hotel in Pasadena the morning after the game in one of those lobby booths. I wanted to say hi but you looked busy working and I have too much social anxiety.

Joined: 01/11/2024

MGoPoints: 27

Jetsson68

January 11th, 2024 at 11:57 AM ^

Yes we do, because the last 40 minutes is why this all matters so much to a lot of us. Sports for myself, and I think a lot of people, is how I have the relationship with my father that I do. That’s one of the reason it means so much to me. 
 

The communal aspect of this place is amazing and special. It truly makes the experience of Michigan football so much better. 

Joined: 06/28/2013

MGoPoints: 102

DelhiWolverine

January 11th, 2024 at 8:50 PM ^

Seth, that was the best part for me. Love what you guys have created here because it’s bigger than you and Brian and team. You managed to create a community where everyone on here makes Mgo the amazing thing that it is. This place is one of a kind and I don’t think it could ever be replicated anywhere else. Much love and respect!

Joined: 11/26/2017

MGoPoints: 11926

monkeybiz

January 13th, 2024 at 7:41 PM ^

Finally was able to complete today clearing snow and boxing holiday decorations in garage before the temperature drops. I enjoyed every minute of the last segment. Emotions were real, raw. You don’t always get that in today’s world where social media presents a varnished view of life. The blog is a unique community with unique content and writing. Felt good to listen to you guys exhale. Hail!

Joined: 09/29/2018

MGoPoints: 1612

smitty1233

January 11th, 2024 at 9:32 AM ^

Speaking of Michigan complexity I haven't seen it discussed about Michigan putting a TE in flex position motioning him across the formation and using their TE inline down on the line. I think I saw the lineman can't even recall who it is now smirk as he pulled across knowing he was about to blow up that edge and we were going to score. The substitution and matchup patterns in Michigan run game are unseen anywhere in football. When you have two backs like Edwards and Corum one false step is a first down and possibly 6. I still claim Edwards is going to the league and some innovative coordinator is going to make him a gadget star. Michigan didn't need to do that they could stay bread and butter and win and with less risk. Testamant to the online and Sherrone coaching for sure  

Joined: 09/22/2009

MGoPoints: 2690

1VaBlue1

January 11th, 2024 at 11:14 AM ^

Chris Doering and Jacob Hester talked about all of that - both offense and defense, on their Off Campus radio show yesterday.  The first 30 minutes, or so, was devoted to everything Michigan did that just confused and obliterated opponents all year.  They admitted to not understanding how good they actually were, nor how much the off-field BS pulled them together, until they spent time with the team during bowl practices.  For Hestor, he spent the Rose Bowl week with Michigan and Bama and said that's when he realized Michigan was the team we knew it was.  Doering had that revelation in Houston.

None of it had any sarcasm that was noticeable, which is notable.

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127596

andyburdick72

January 11th, 2024 at 9:34 AM ^

I have updated my 2024 MGoBlog music playlists with the songs from this episode - here are the links:

I just keep pinching myself and grinning. I can't quite believe that YOUR MICHIGAN WOLVERINES ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!

Joined: 11/15/2022

MGoPoints: 258

Hensons Mobile…

January 11th, 2024 at 10:18 AM ^

1) Knocking it down (4th down interception) is technically correct. Hard to break that instinct as a defensive back. And Mikey I'm sure saw the field in front of him before he even caught the ball. Full trust in his decision.

2) So we're allowed to complain about something now? Good. I don't understand not using JJ's legs. Criminal. I'd love for him to come back next year and for us to use the "JJ is a 5 star" offense.

Joined: 09/12/2019

MGoPoints: 49790

TheBlueAbides

January 11th, 2024 at 11:22 AM ^

Thanks everyone on the sit and pod! My eyes started watering hearing Seth because I lose my dad right before the 21’ season, I wish he was here to see what has happened since. Go blue!

Joined: 01/20/2011

MGoPoints: 5777

reshp1

January 11th, 2024 at 1:18 PM ^

My profile says I've been a member for 12+ years, but it feels like a lot longer than that. It feels like this blog has been a part of my entire adult life. I pulled back a bit from contributing and commenting from just life stuff since my kids were born (and just the level of fandom wasn't sustainable), but very few days would go by in the fall where I didn't check in here. I love you guys and glad we could go through the journey together. However bleak it was at times, it feels all the sweeter now.

Joined: 10/31/2011

MGoPoints: 34177