Spring Football Bits Loses Spring Game
Usually this time of year you get some kind of spring game recap. Michigan had a spring game, but this is all you get.
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 12, 2021
Saturday was a great day to compete!#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/XeYvWF9kfs
What sticks out, other than the uniformz, is the pathetically small amount they’re willing to share with the public. The fanbase’s reaction to this has fallen into three camps:
- I would have liked to have seen a spring game.
- Call me when they win something.
- I don’t want to think about football.
All three are valid. The second and third camps are the BPONE, and were bound to continue regardless of football’s existence. For personal and professional reasons, I fall in the first. If you haven’t skipped to the comments to post something like 2 or 3, you’re probably there with me, and wondering if there’s an explanation.
Lately if you want anything from the football team you have to listen to the Jansen podcast, where Jansen said this regarding why fans and media were not allowed to attend:
The State of Michigan is utilizing the Big House as a vaccine site. So they didn’t want the parking lot to be full of cars. They didn’t want there to be a confusion about where to go for people scheduled to get their vaccine on that Saturday.
…and this on why they didn’t broadcast it:
As I understand it the Big Ten Network had set a certain time that all of the programs needed to say ‘Hey, this is when we’re going to have our last practice.’ And with the uncertainty of the pandemic, with the changing schedules, Michigan just wasn’t able to meet that deadline because they had to move some things around, and it just didn’t work out.
If they wanted to keep it small for the vaccine site—or you know, because last weekend was the peak of the pandemic—that’s fine. That’s not the reason media were expressly prohibited, including those with invites through other means. It’s still more responsible than Michigan State’s decision to invite 6,000 people to Spartan Stadium tomorrow, and one I can support.
[Hit THE JUMP]
But that’s not the reason it wasn’t broadcast. I was watching BTN that afternoon. It was Michigan-Maryland in softball, Penn State vs Indiana in the soccer championship, then Gymnastics in the evening. As much as I like our softball team, if Michigan football wanted that slot, do you really think BTN wouldn’t have accommodated? If they couldn’t, do you think they might have aired it another time?
If BTN really didn’t want Michigan Wolverines football in mid-April, Michigan still had video cameras there, and the power to release far more than one minute and twelve seconds of close-cropped film literally passed through a maize filter. They have an entire media company—IMG—under contract for this.
The truth is you didn’t get a spring game because they didn’t want to subject the players to your negativity. Jansen admits “there’s not a lot to brag about right now” after a 2-4 season, and that’s the truth. Also true is the fanbase is out of patience for Harbaugh’s regime going into a year that’s going to require quite a bit of it. There’s nothing you can do about that but win, and you can’t win a spring game.
There’s nothing to lose either. Spring games aren't for the media; they're for the fans. In safer times, most go to take in the sun as much as the other thing they've been deprived of all winter. They wash over you, at most show you a guy to get excited about because of one play.
I’ve been to and written about spring games for bad Michigan football teams, and still fall for them every year. I saw the 2008 offense slosh around a wet high school and appreciated the defensive continuity. I saw the 2009 and 2010 defenses torched and memorized fan videos of the young quarterbacks responsible. Two years ago I watched the edge of the defense come apart and called Gattis a genius. No matter how bad they were, my reaction to this was going to be clipping plays that show how it might work. In college football, you reckon with reality in November; in April even Hoke springs eternal. The only way to lose is not to play.
The fact that this program somehow found a way to take an L in their own spring game makes me less confident they can beat Western Michigan or anyone after that.
If they’re terrified of having stupid slappies like us get a look-see, their house must be in worse shape than mine after 13 months of pandemic. The various types of interceptions from their various types of freshman quarterbacks must be worse than the ones the transferred former starter opened and closed last season with. The defense’s confusion at a new system must be so recriminating you could make a slideshow of linebackers yelling at each other. Every fade down the sideline must be a replay of Ricky White Day, except the overthrown passes are coming down out of bounds.
But that’s your spring game recap. The only thing we've learned is the football program itself agrees they're unwatchable. They don’t have everything locked down, so I’ll have a final football bits for you next week. Happy commenting.
April 23rd, 2021 at 11:29 PM ^
For a website that posts about Michigan sports content, the writers sure make me not want to read about Michigan football.
I understand things aren’t great but this did not need to be written.
April 23rd, 2021 at 11:46 PM ^
Keep up the good work Seth et al
if people don't like the content, they can start their own free site and post whatever they want.
Its crazy to think that a spring game with all of the changes in coaches, players and scheme that would likely make it look pretty messy to the naked eye is going to have any positive carry over to the fanbase.
No way...
Every touchdown would be decried for the defensive breakdowns
Every stop would be decried for the offensive breakdowns
Happens in every spring game
But given all of the changes AND the anger already in the fanbase there is NO way those typical spring issues wouldn't be blown up 1000x's . But it would give sports writers and fans something to focus on and write about and dissect...and maybe something or someone concrete to bitch about other than just the coaches. Just imagine if Cade or JJ isn't sharp on THAT day...he/they would likely get obliterated by the fans for the next months. I mean yes they have to be able to deal with criticism but this fanbase can be wayyy over the top esp with all of the social media scrutiny which is something that is still relatively new terrain.
All the access in the world is not going to save Harbaugh's ass and he has to know it. Didn't save Hoke's or Borges'. The submarine was cool in the early days especially after that 10-3 first season. Now its submarine or maybe submarine plus and that's worth complaining about? Pfft....
Win in the fall and the fans will come back in droves and next spring this will be cool again. Lose in the fall and none of this will have anything to do with what comes next. And that is the way it should be.
April 24th, 2021 at 10:04 AM ^
The Michigan fan base is no worse than dozens and dozens of college fan bases for schools that had spring games. Those schools just don’t have a coach who is afraid of those fans. Most fans aren’t analyzing the spring game like posters here.
It won’t save his job, but it would make fans happy, which is kind of, like, part of his job. Again, the attitude here is that fans are a nuisance to be endured; you only interact to the degree necessary to maintain your jobs as coaches.
A messy spring game would not make fans happy...there is NOTHING short of a 'good' season that will change the overall mood of this fanbase.
And UM fans are not just like dozens of other fan bases. UM is a unique program with its history, resources and expectations. This has to be one of the toughest coaching jobs in CFB.
April 24th, 2021 at 11:46 AM ^
this is the third spring in a row with a cancelled spring game though.
Last year was understandable due to the covid situation blowing up.
People have short memories; for all the talk about 'The Fort', Michigan did have open an open spring scrimmage during the first few years...
people don't remember "the Submarine"? Michigan locked up information since Harbaugh started, not just this year - they have always been restricting information, so they aren't doing anything different than other years; they aren't "focusing on football" any more than any other year.
The only thing we've learned is the football program itself agrees they're unwatchable.
If it's really this bad, who still thinks this staff gets more than one season together? I don't see JH being retained with a losing season.
April 24th, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
Then get ready for a surprise. All of these changes provide an obvious built-in pretext to give him one year after this.
April 24th, 2021 at 11:53 AM ^
Then get ready for a surprise. All of these changes provide an obvious built-in pretext to give him one year after this.
I don't get the sense the built in pretext is a losing season. I get the sense the built-in pretext is like a 7-5 season. I don't see UM going 4-8 for arguments sake and JH being retained. There's too much talent and too much experience to settle for that regardless of the assistant coaching changes or schematic changes to the defense. That would be two consecutive losing seasons. I don't see JH surviving that unless there are some signature wins over teams like OSU and flashes to what's to come or a very strong finish. But, another year like last year expanded over a longer season won't cut it for JH to be retained IMO.
Michigan's 2021 schedule:
______________________________________
Western Michigan- Most likely a win
Washington Huskies-With the injury news, this seems like a very winnable game
Northern Illinois- Most likely a win
Rutgers- They will be better than last year, but so will we. Most likely a win
Wisconsin- Most likely a loss, but who knows. They weren't exactly world beaters last year either. The turnovers, and inexperience (along with attitude) caused the avalanche in last year's results.
Nebraska- They have been a tire fire for a long time, now. Most likely a win.
Bye-
Northwestern- Last year, they took advantage of their experience in a season without a Spring practice. The 3-9 (1-8) the season before is a pretty good indication of what they really are. Most likely a win.
Michigan State- They beat us by 3 points, last year. Mostly by throwing the same pass over and over and getting nonstop PIs. This is most likely a win.
Indiana- This will be a good game, but a full off season, and with the players they lost (to the NFL), this is most likely a win.
Penn State- They were just as pitiful as we were, last year. This game is a complete toss up. We have no idea how these teams will be playing, by this point in the year. We've essentially traded blowout wins since Harbaugh has gotten here.
Maryland- This will be a tough game, only because it's a sandwich game between Penn State and Ohio State. Looking at their roster.....this is most likely a win.
Ohio State- This is most likely a loss. However, it'll probably be closer than most expect.
______________________________________________________________
I can see a decent season coming out of the 2021 season. Now.....it can go the complete opposite direction, but we have no idea how the team will play, until Sept 4th.
2022's schedule doesn't have Wisconsin on it, and the out of conference games don't have anyone like Notre Dame.
Just.....LOOK at this schedule, and tell me how this isn't ideal. Tell me how Warde doesn't let Harbaugh, at least, have a crack at that schedule.
____________________________________________
Colorado State
Hawaii
UCONN
Maryland
Iowa
Penn State
Nebraska
Michigan State
Illinois
BYE
Indiana
Rutgers
Ohio State
_______________________________________
There is no chance in hell that Harbaugh isn't allowed to coach the 2022 season, after all the staff changes. The constant conversations about it are just getting old, at this point. Let's see how the team plays on Sept 4th, before we start back up with the bitching, shall we?
April 24th, 2021 at 10:13 AM ^
The joy has been sucked out of every aspect of this program. It’s never great to treat your fans like garbage. When your coming off a 2-4 season, it’s a really bad idea. No spring game, no family day, no real engagement whatsoever. No fun in the offseason, no fun during the season - the Harbaugh legacy.
Im sure they’ll do some dumbass flyover and other meaningless stunts trying to pretend that makes a difference to fans. If a football program was actively trying to push away its fans and ticket holders, how would it look any different than what we’re seeing?
April 24th, 2021 at 11:12 AM ^
If the team isn't (yet) good enough to show out with some promise, that's a legitimate reason not to hold a Spring game. People are going to assume the worst at this stage, as your offering makes clear. And it takes a lot of energy and (IMO) kinda lame hoohaa to produce one of those affairs.
Hoke springs eternal. That should probably be a t-shirt.
April 24th, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
I don't care that we couldn't see the spring game. It's been crushed out of me. I love this team and will pull for them no matter what, but Michigan football has definitely dropped a bunch of spots in my personal priorities. I don't know...maybe I'm just finally growing up.
April 24th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
The football program is too far gone for a any sort of spring game to make a difference. It has gotten to the point where even the biggest kool aid drinkers have basically given up. The biggest issue isn’t Harbaugh. I am convinced that even Saban or Urban Liar could not win at Michigan. The university will not let a coach do what needs to be done to actually compete now including letting athletes take online classes. Michigan will never beat OSU. Either join the Ivy League for football or cancel the program. There is no coach who can win big at Michigan anymore. It just isn’t possible.
April 24th, 2021 at 12:52 PM ^
Anyone who is worried about losing to the Broncos in September needs a Xanax Rx.
Go Blue!
April 25th, 2021 at 10:53 PM ^
I'm just to the point where I know Michigan is just a middling B1G team. The only time I was excited about the team in the last 17 years was when RR got hired, but knew if was over after he only won 3 games in '08. Hoke's first season. Jim's first and second seasons. After a lack luster 2017 season all the experts said we were just experience a brief rough stretch due to Hoke's poor recruiting classes before he he left. Now we know that the program has slipped under Harbaugh back to its average number of wins between '08 and '20. So expect 6 wins with 8 wins on the upside. I don't want to think about the possible downside.
I think for me the fact they didn’t have a public spring game that gets me down. It’s the fact with no spring game all they give to the public is the most useless highlight clip. At least give us a longer clip for some excitement. It could be carefully picked up some some real highlights.
I think a lot of fans have a bad taste from 2020 and could use a little boost. Even if some people would be negative about it, it’s better to try and compromise to make some fans happy.
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