42-27 vs. 45-23 ; Comparing Your Levels of Joy
I know Coach Harbaugh says not to compare things as it can often diminish or take away from the other.
However, both the 2021 and 2022 victories over OSU were glorious, and as I obsessively watch reruns of this year's game, like I did all of last year for the 2021 game, I realize the joy is different, but satisfaction remains at full for both. It's almost like trying to decide which of your children you love more...it's seemingly impossible.
2021
1) Cathartic
2) Broke the rivalry curse and their run
3) Magical snowy day
4) Physical domination for 4 quarters...stole their will
5) Finally the team and Harbaugh had that win they so deserved (were robbed of in 2016)
6) The moments - O-JA-BO, and so many more
7) Glorious as the fans rushed the field in a light snow and celebrated for all the sports world to see
8) Ryan Day born on 3rd, not hanging 100
2022
1) Unexpected blowout at the Shoe - first win there in over 20 years
2) OSU fan tears, silent stadium, shock and awe
3) JJ comes into his own - Edwards becomes a star
4) OSU proves they are still soft - can only stop the run with 8 in the box
5) The moments - Johnson...wiiiiide open, Edwards, down the sideline! Sainristil with the breakup!
6) No snow, no wind, perfect weather, no excuses. 28-3 second half
7) Win by air, win on the ground. Huge plays everywhere!
8) Prove 2021 was not an aberration. 2022 is validation of what Harbaugh has built.
9) A sense that the program is back and on the upswing going forward, and Ryan Day is still soft.
It's very hard for me to pick between these 2 games. In 2021 I picked us to win, yet the victory and physical domination along with the movie like scenes from Ann Arbor made it an emotional, cathartic victory - specifically given the last 20 years of the rivalry.
But 2022 was pure joy to see OSU take the L at home. An acknowledgment that UM is not a 1 year wonder, but a program better built for specifically The Game. The shock of the fans and commentators as UM dominated by air and then by ground, and also shut down the OSU attack in the 2nd half. Rationally, this was a more fulfilling victory, as without our best offensive and defensive player, we went into the toilet bowl and flushed the Buckeyes.
What say you? 2021 or 2022
December 17th, 2022 at 11:56 PM ^
To me they're two halves of one whole. Couldn't have 2022 without 2021, and without 2022 there would've been a diminished feeling with 2021.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:03 AM ^
Agreed.
Needed to break the streak in 21
Needed to flip the script on the road in 22.
I like our chances throughout this decade, really do.
December 18th, 2022 at 8:45 AM ^
Two, until the Buckeyes defeat Michigan, the pressure on them to win is going to get greater and greater.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:37 PM ^
Word nerds, parse this for me, let me know if I've used the words appropriately:
'21 is more emotional (joy, wonder, nostalgia) with the snow & catharsis of it.
'22 was more satisfying (break road L streak without Blake, consistentcy confirmation, quiet the crowd)
One's not better per se, but I know I'll rewatch '21 more times, for longer into the future. Emotional catharsis brings more repeat pleasure than quiet smug satisfaction?!
December 18th, 2022 at 3:21 PM ^
Breaking the streak in ‘21 was beautiful. Confirming it wasn’t a fluke in ‘22 was also. Well put.
December 17th, 2022 at 11:56 PM ^
Beautifully said.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:02 AM ^
'21.
Which is why the whole Cade thing is upsetting...because I know plenty of people feel like I do (in that '21 was a special moment in LIFE) and his efforts were a big part of that. But now everyone is trying to fake like the kid is absolutely trash at QB.
Shit, I had tears in my eyes after that game. The fact that people can feel that level of emotion, and then do what they did at the beginning of this year (boo the kid, basically run him off...part of supporting JJ was hating Cade for a LOT of people - remember week 3? It was a whole "thing") and what they're doing now is so disturbing and disappointing. I don't care if he's behaving like an immature college kid, that's what he IS. But grown people...nevermind, this is supposed to be a happy thread! Onward.
Anyway, the way we won in '21, it was actually a great game, great plays on both sides, then you add the snow, 5 TDs by Haskins...breaking their will, the field rush. Gus Johnson. It was incredible. A national championship will be the only way to experience that high for a looong time.
'22 was great as well, obviously. But '21 is probably my favorite Michigan game ever. It was great theater, I still watch that game at an alarming rate. Hell, I still watch Big Noon Kickoff and College Gameday from that day. It's a sickness that I have no desire to get rid of.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:16 AM ^
Well-stated from start-to-finish, 'MaizeBlueA2'.
And yes, the "Cade thing" has gone well beyond tiresome. Sooner-rather-than-later, could we please end the bad-mouthing by a loud, vocal, and increasingly obnoxious minority and appreciate instead the turning point we experienced last season?
December 18th, 2022 at 8:57 AM ^
I haven’t bad mouthed him a drop, but I think both ends of the spectrum are a bit extreme.
1 end: people that bad mouth him constantly as if that’s all they can talk about now.
Opposing end: people that say we can’t criticize our captain(s) who left the program and took shots, even worse than Gattis did (who we admonished for doing so), on the way out.
I live somewhere in the middle. I don’t feel the need to really talk about it, but I 100% lost my desire to root for them. I wish them all the success in life, but I no longer consider myself a fan of them on the field.
December 18th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
Cade is family. Sometimes family does shit that pisses you off.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:36 AM ^
Since it's after midnight, you've got me thinking...what are my personal favorite games of all time? Not what do I think are the best or most important...what are my favorite? What games would I sit and watch from beginning to end? What games mean something to me on a different level? 🤔
1. 2021 OSU
2. 1998 WSU/Rose Bowl - Pure joy. National Champions. Heisman Trophy. Absolutely storybook season.
3. 1997 PSU - You just had to be there, the hype of "Judgement Day" with all the ranked vs. ranked games, it was like a week 9 CFP. The intensity was unreal. That ABC theme music gives me chills. On the road, and just destroyed them. S/O Daydrian Taylor.
4. 2021 Iowa/B1G Championship - I was there, on the field, culmination of something amazing. And such a fun game. Everything had been building towards that. Still have my confetti!
5. 1997 OSU - So much on the line and we delivered. The defense was unbelievable.
6. 2004 MSU - Personal story, had to be there, no need to share. Braylonfest!
7. 2016 Florida/Citrus Bowl - Here is one you didn't guess. I've watched this game more than any other since Carr retired. It was like a breath of fresh air, everything was positive, we were headed into an offseason with crazy momentum. Nobody had it better than us. It just felt like the dark days were OVER.
8. 2008 Florida/Citrus Bowl - Why didn't we spread it out and play like that all year?! Great game, poor Tebow.
9. 2000 Alabama - Captain Comeback, this is probably the first game that I had to leave and watch by myself because it was too intense.
10. 2016 Rutgers - I'm not lying, that was a perfect game of football, minus the bogus call that brought back Peppers' return...I've never seen anything like that game. It was like playing NCAA Football on JV, the anxiety of trying to hold Rutgers from getting a single first down (while also trying to score a TD on every possession) was amazing.
Honorable Mention: The incredible finishes...2011 Notre Dame, 2005 Penn State.
...2000, 2003, 2022 OSU games would be next (probably in that order). MSU Manningham game after those.
----------------------------------------------------------------
After that, it gets REALLY random and there's recency bias. The PSU blowouts at home (especially 2016), destroying MSU at home when Khaleke Hudson blew up the MSU WR on a crossing route, that Wisconsin game where McCaffrey took off at the end. Destroying ND in the rain. Crushing Minnesota after a weather delay was fun as well. Another random one, Maryland last year was a lot of fun, I've watched that a few times. Nebraska last year was also a lot of fun!
December 18th, 2022 at 10:21 AM ^
You are obviously a young whippersnapper. I would add in:
1976 OSU - Won 22-0. Bo goes for two on second TD. Team finishes No 3. No. 1 Total Offense, No. 1 Scoring Defense (7 pt per game).
1977 Texas A&M - #3 UM destroys #5 TAMU 41-3. All week TAMU was hyped. UM destroyed them.
1995 OSU - Never had a feeling in a game against OSU like Tim Biakabutuka running for 313 yds. This one has to be on here.
1988 OSU - John Kolesar saves the day in a close road win.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:55 AM ^
Most of your first two paragraphs were unnecessary. Most here like Cade for what he did. He will be legend. No need to bring up the sour departure.
Having said that, I agree on 2021. BPONE was still high in 2021. That victory let us all exhale. It is not just a victory. We looked like a dominant force and a bully. OSU had no answer. For the first time in almost two decades we made OSU doubt themselves. Won in the trenches and we saw the Harbaugh team we were expecting when he was hired. Great times. It is like Rocky. I love Rocky 4 but the original is still the best.
December 18th, 2022 at 1:02 AM ^
This board was toxic, Week 3. And people on this board and especially on other ones have been crushing Cade.
But again, not what the thread is about...was just mentioning it because for me, you can't feel the way I do about '21 and then turn around and call the QB who led that effort, "trash."
December 18th, 2022 at 6:48 AM ^
2021 was a special moment. Having said that the way Cade and All shit on this program on the way out 🖕 You just don’t do that. Especially as captains.
December 18th, 2022 at 9:14 AM ^
Disappointing for sure*, but it was one of those things where they took like subtweet level shots...nothing crazy, could've easily been closed over.
Then the defenders of all things Michigan Football came out of the woodwork and made it personal. At that point, these guys are gone and thinking, "oh that's how you REALLY feel?!" So gloves are off, family is involved...just totally unnecessary.
I've said it before, the Michigan fanbase should've collectively used the Jennifer Lawrence /ummokay.gif - because that's what it was, a "yeah, dude, whatever."
Cade, I don't really care about, he's been entitled and whiny since JJ showed up and he felt like JJ lost the MSU game and he won the OSU and Iowa games. Whatever, man. Thanks for everything, go enjoy Iowa...we are better off.
All stings a little bit, that kid LOVED Michigan and LOVED Harbaugh. He didn't want to leave. It happened and things spun out of control quickly for him. All was never about "me." Wishing him healing and a solid year.
*Was it Hoke or Rich Rod who wanted to pick captains after the season and got buried for it? lol...might've been ahead of his time!
December 18th, 2022 at 9:18 AM ^
He’s not a trash QB. But he is a pouty, selfish, trash captain of the team and deserves no accolades for this season.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:03 AM ^
Equally surprising, but I enjoyed being in the stands at the shoe a little more
December 18th, 2022 at 12:06 AM ^
2021.
The entire day was like being in a life-size snow globe of pure joy. In 45 years of Michigan season tickets, a uniquely wonderful experience.
I've lost count of how many times I have re-watched the 2021 edition of THE GAME, but I can say this: it's a guaranteed smile (similar to the proverbial "illegal smile" only far better!) every time I look back to that day.
2022 is also fantastic, but lacks for me the participatory magic of 2021 at The Big House.
December 18th, 2022 at 10:41 AM ^
It's 21 for me for the same reasons only it was an entire week of unassailable joy. 22 was awesome and has brought us to greater heights but 21 had 15 years or bpone disappear almost in a single 4 hour stretch. Both the victory and the manner in which the victory was achieved as a true physical beat down made for the best possible outcome
December 18th, 2022 at 12:08 AM ^
2022 was the "prove it" moment which also happened in their house after they were somehow still naively overconfident. It really cannot get sweeter than that.
So 2022.
December 18th, 2022 at 7:17 AM ^
I'm on Team 2022 here, too, but not by much.
At the time you could fairly view 2021 as the perfect storm (literally) that allowed Michigan to finally get its rare win. Lose in Columbus this year and it could be written off as a flu(ke).
Now, though? Those spoiled cooler poopers are really upset. 2022 clearly showed that the prior year wasn't a fluke. Day != Meyer. Given how well he's been recruiting, it looks even worse. Give the teams equal "247/Rivals/On3" rosters and he'd get his ass kicked most years.
December 18th, 2022 at 11:35 AM ^
Same here--2022.
Doing it in Columbus decisively, Our best player on both sides of the ball were sidelined, and putting Day and co. on the hot seat. This breaks the tie for me.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:11 AM ^
2022 is predicated off the success of 2021, IMO. Without Hutch ojabo and co. the success, feelings and determination to be better, we don’t see the success UM is rattling off. 2021- everyone discounted them, and gave a 1% chance to win the BIG championship. The style and pure dominance was a sight to behold for everyone that deems themselves as a UM fan. No one expected that. UM and fans are now expecting championships and BIG Championships. Hell, most of us (and still are to a degree) expecting BPONE. Now, you’re seeing a JJ McCarthy, Blake the Great and the stellar Joe Moore group continue the excellence UM fans saw in 2021. Also, anyone who was in that stadium in 2021 knows how magical and electrifying that moment was. I truly believe without hutch ojabo and chair swingers, 2022 is only a pipe dream. Michigan believes they should be there vs (2021) where Michigan was proving doubters wrong.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:15 AM ^
I was a UM college soph when Fast Times at Ridgemont High came out in summer 1982. This question is like comparing Phoebe Cates and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Like my best friend told me, the correct answer to "who would you like to date?" was BOTH.
2021 was glorious with the snow and field rush after the game. Broke a 10-year losing streak. 2022 may have been better. Emphatic win in C-BUS, biggest win there for us since 22-0 in 1976.
SO, I say BOTH!
December 18th, 2022 at 12:27 AM ^
I appreciate where you’re coming from, but the obvious answer is Phoebe Cates.
December 18th, 2022 at 10:29 AM ^
It's impossible to listen to "Moving in Stereo" by The Cars and NOT have visions of Phoebe.
December 18th, 2022 at 11:33 AM ^
Like Cates vs. Leigh there is no bad answer. However, anything but “both”is the wrong answer.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:20 AM ^
2021 broke the streak, but didn't break the Buckeyes. They could chalk it up as a one-off bc of the weather, or the flu, or being in Ann Arbor, or bc Hutchinson and Ojabo couldn't be blocked (but they'd both be gone next year).
2022 broke the Buckeyes. Ryan Day goes from honeymoon to hot seat. Stroud goes from Heisman to a disappointment. 2022 left them questioning everything.
2021 let them know we were coming. 2022 let them know we're fucking here
December 18th, 2022 at 12:46 AM ^
Ryan Day isn't on the hot seat, we really have to stop with that. (Some) Michigan fans and the idiot vocal minority OSU fans are the only people saying that...and Michigan fans shouldn't be repeating anything from the idiot vocal minority of OSU fans.
They're in the playoff, lol. Beating Michigan matters, but 2 losses isn't the hot seat. Get smoked by Georgia, lose to Michigan and miss the playoff next year? THEN his seat would be hot.
Is he going to be Cooper 2.0? No. They won't let things get even "Half Cooper" before firing him. But he's not even to "Quarter Cooper."
He's not in danger of getting fired. At least not right now.
December 18th, 2022 at 1:36 AM ^
Remember when every big game we played, the broadcast would put a graphic up for Harbaugh's record vs OSU, or his record vs MSU, or his record vs top 10 teams. That's what Day gets now. And if they get beat by Georgia, it's just going to get worse. Call it a hot seat. Call it the spotlight. Call it whatever you want ... but that's where Day is -- whether he's actually in fear of losing his job or not.
December 18th, 2022 at 7:21 AM ^
Look here:
https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Football/CollegeTeamTalentComposite/
Day is squandering talent. A better coach and staff would beat Michigan most years with that team. It wouldn't be very close. Look what happened when Michigan played Georgia last year.
You'd have to go back to the end of the past century, but Michigan fans should be familiar with the idea of underperforming teams.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:46 PM ^
Well I think in trying to compare aggregate Starz you're overlooking that Uga's were historically congregated on D - 5 1st rounders, 9-11 drafted overall.
Plus Bowers, possibly the highest rated TE of the crootin service era?
Plus plus an OL that finishes just decimal points behind Michigan's in the Joe Moore voting.
In other words, a better version of Michigan.
December 18th, 2022 at 8:22 AM ^
Do you really think that if Ohio State loses to Georgia, then again to Michigan next November (especially if neither game finishes particularly close) that there won't be serious consideration to "move on" from Day? They'll be staring down the barrel of 4 straight losses to Michigan at that point, and honestly don't know how they'd act in their desperation.
December 18th, 2022 at 9:18 AM ^
That's literally what I said, lol.
Lose to Georgia, lose to Michigan and miss the playoffs.
It would be 3 straight loses to Michigan, smoked by UGA in 2022 and no CFP in 2023.
Yeah, his seat would be hot then.
It's still too early right now.
December 18th, 2022 at 9:58 AM ^
Day has to show out in his next two high profile games. That's as hot seat as it gets. That those games will likely be 11 months apart doesn't matter.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:21 AM ^
They are part and parcel but 2022 was the validation.
As a 1990s guy, I am looking forward to having no dread for The Game for the first time in 20+ years, No Narrative except We're Better, just enjoy it for what it will be and expect to win, and kick their ass.
Can't wait for you 2000s and 2010s folks to feel that feeling in 2023. It's awesome when utter domination and owning is just a natural three-year roll against tHem.
December 18th, 2022 at 9:38 AM ^
I don't see that happening, it would take way more than 3 years to undo 20 years of pain.
I honestly don't know how long it'll take, but it would have to be dominating Day and whoever follows him up. Michigan needs to get multiple OSU coaches fired, lol.
At a national level, OSU doesn't feel like it's slipped...it just feels like Michigan caught up. I think that's a huge difference.
Over the past 20 years, people talk about OSU, but it was also MSU, it was the 5 and 7 win seasons...it close close games against terrible teams, it was 3 coaching staffs, it was everything. Michigan was BAD program by our standards.
The CFP also changes things because it changed how we define success. Michigan fans will feel like the 90s when Michigan beats OSU consistently and has sustained success (as it has for 2 years in a row).
It was Alabama, Clemson, OSU, Georgia for the longest, with Oklahoma right behind them.
Now it's Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, OSU.
We've caught them. I don't know how many it'll take to undo 20 years, but it'll be more than 3 and it might requires a national championship. It's different for everyone, I'll let you know when I get there...for now, I'm gonna enjoy the ride!
December 18th, 2022 at 10:29 AM ^
An NC would erase the last 20 years very quickly. IF that were to happen, the Bucks would be looking up to Michigan as the team to beat.. without question.
The issue is.. it’s two more years of a four team CFP (this year and next year) - being one of four is more selective / elite than being one of 12.
The key for Michigan is.. maintaining the culture…
December 18th, 2022 at 2:52 PM ^
Completely disagree, A2!
Beat osu for a 3rd straight & capture the NC either this season or next (or BOTH!!!) and I will not be giving another single thought to '01-'19 - not any more than they were to '85-'00 before last year!
But those are still some big "ifs" so I'm just focused on tcu right now!
December 18th, 2022 at 12:24 AM ^
2021 was a different feeling. 12 months after the program seeming dead in the water, we slayed Goliath on our field in the snow and the greatest player since Woodson showed out. I’ll never forget for the rest of my life the feeling of being on that field.
2022 felt more satisfying. It felt more like “we are here to stay.” Like what was said earlier, there is no 2022 without 2021. Going into the shoe and winning the way we did was something we hadn’t experienced in more than 25 years.
2021 was “we CAN do it” 2022 was “we WILL do it”
December 18th, 2022 at 12:26 AM ^
Why don't you just ask which of my children I love more?
2021 showed we could beat them.
2022 proved it was because we are better than them.
As an aside, after catching that Heisman House commercial with Woodson, Smith and Eddie George ("I like your little bush though") I was reading about the Buckeye tree and its wood
Aesculus glabra has little use as a timber tree due to its soft, light wood. Although occasionally seen in cultivation, the large, copiously produced fruits make it generally undesirable as a street tree.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:30 AM ^
2021 was more joyous for me. I was on the road and listened on the radio. Dan and Jim’s final home game as broadcasters. Jim threw it to Dan and mentioned that it was his first OSU victory as a broadcaster. And when Dan fucking Dierdorf’s voice cracked (“I have nothing to say”) I almost lost it in the passenger’s seat.
And the postgame was more fun. Seeing Juwan and Jim hug it out, the fans rush the field, was magic. I love the scenes from this year with the flag and JJ waving goodbye and Morris and Harrell taunting the fans but it wasn’t the same. Glorious, but not the same.
To paraphrase Marlo, this is one of those good questions
December 18th, 2022 at 12:38 AM ^
I'm so very glad you mentioned Jim and Dan. Go Blue.
December 18th, 2022 at 1:03 AM ^
I upvoted you because it was a great post. However, as a Wire fanatic (7 time series watcher), I have to say, the correct quote was “sounds like one of those good problems”
December 18th, 2022 at 5:03 AM ^
There’s a YouTube video with some of the radio calls and Dans “Yehhhssss” after some of the Haskins TDs were so beautiful. I think he did one after both the second and the third. (Hard to keep track when there were five).
edit: I would link it but no access to YouTube at the moment.
December 18th, 2022 at 12:48 AM ^
21.
Emerging from the pandemic. Going from unranked to #2, losing to Sparty then needing to stomp the bucknuts and crush the Hawkeyes to climb the CFP ladder. Haskins and the O Line running over the softees from Cbus. Glorious, yes glorious (yes, Rich Eisen nailed the feeling).
22.
Going about the simple and direct business of winning 13 in a row into the CFP by humiliating PSU, stomping Sparty, and beating a diminished bucknut team? Satisfying, eminently so, but not as joyful and glorious.
I wouldn't change anything!
December 18th, 2022 at 12:49 AM ^
I’m going with the sentiment that there is nothing more satisfying than beating your rival at their place. And for the the first time in 20 years?? 2021 was awesome but for me it does not compare to 2022. I was in complete shock and still am.
December 18th, 2022 at 1:03 AM ^
Oh hell yeah
December 18th, 2022 at 1:07 AM ^
Joy!!! Joyx2