Interesting quote from Michigan DL Mike Morris via Zach Shaw: "We know if we lose a game everyone’s gonna say ‘Oh, Michigan sucks again.'"
https://twitter.com/_ZachShaw/status/1439990666256437255
Definitely feels like there's been a culture shift with the new staff coming in and a striking amount of self-awareness that I feel like we haven't seen a for a while under Harbaugh
September 20th, 2021 at 2:52 PM ^
We should be fine as long as the Waterboy isn't ruled ineligible.
September 20th, 2021 at 2:58 PM ^
there's definitely an IDGAF mentality I've noticed with the comments from coaches and players alike. It's refreshingly honest and like you said, self-aware.
I don't know how this season will play out, but I love the little changes that have come up throughout the football department.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:02 PM ^
The fans could use some self-awareness as well.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:08 PM ^
For sure.
People forget that these were 18-22 year old kids who were trying to play a season that wasn't even going to happen during the most fucked up year that any of us have ever experienced.
I know a lot of adults who have handled things as poorly as Michigans football season went last year.
So yeah we should all be better. Its just a game
September 20th, 2021 at 5:31 PM ^
These aren’t kids. They’re young adults.
September 20th, 2021 at 6:01 PM ^
Whatever...many of them are living away from home for the first time, trying to balance school and demands of high level D1 football, injuries etc.
And last year on top of all of that you have a once in a century global event (and social unrest) that pushed everyone to the edges. It was an extremely stressful time for everyone and they caught the brunt of a lot of shitty fan's frustrations.
Lot of immature haters riding on these young men's jocks when they win and then dragging their names through the mud when they lose or even just not win impressively enough.
September 20th, 2021 at 6:37 PM ^
The frontal lobe isn’t fully developed until one is 25.
September 20th, 2021 at 9:03 PM ^
Tell those children that and say they shouldn't have the right to consent to sex, smoke, serve their country, entry into contracts, drink alcohol, and get married because their frontal lobes aren't fully developed.
Healthy "kids" that age want independence and to be treated as adults unless their parents have screwed them up and end up letting them live at home until they're 40. I'm not inclined to defend the latter.
September 20th, 2021 at 9:55 PM ^
Healthy "kids" that age want independence and to be treated as adults unless their parents have screwed them up and end up letting them live at home until they're 40. I'm not inclined to defend the latter.
Fine then I will. The US is one of few cultures where multigenerational homes aren’t the norm. While kids living at home til they’re 40 is indefensible to some. Having the elderly live their retirement years in some nursing home in the suburbs is just as indefensible to others.
I’ll get off my soapbox, but how about we let families live the lives that work for them? Regardless of how screwed up they may or may not be.
September 20th, 2021 at 10:19 PM ^
A world of difference between a 30 year old that lives at home and takes care of their parents, and a 30 year old that doesn't ever leave the nest because they're free-loading.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:26 PM ^
I know it sounds cliche....but I think we got rid of some bad apples as far as attitudes, both on the player side and the coaching side. The young coaches are so believable(Moore, Hart, McDonald, Clink and Bellamy).
September 20th, 2021 at 3:42 PM ^
https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/mike-macdonald/5529
McDonald is the new McCaffery. Agree with your thoughts though.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:06 PM ^
I don't know what you mean by "McCaffery," but I was surprised his UM bio lists his hometown as Boston. Was he just born there, or did he spend a significant amount of time in Mass?
September 20th, 2021 at 4:36 PM ^
He grew up/went to HS there. He went to UGA for undergrad.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:38 PM ^
Ah. His UM bio also mentions playing HS sports in Roswell Georgia, so that must have been around the time he moved.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:21 PM ^
A coach is a player? What the hell are you talking about?
September 20th, 2021 at 4:48 PM ^
Pointing out that Coach MacDonald's name is going to constantly be misspelled as McDonald. Very similar to how Dylan McCaffrey was frequently misspelled as McCaffery.
September 20th, 2021 at 5:20 PM ^
Precisely.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:48 PM ^
I think they're referring to everyone misspelling the coach's name (just like they did with the former QB).
I do find it interesting that his name is spelled with a lowercase d - "Macdonald" rather than "MacDonald."
September 20th, 2021 at 7:52 PM ^
Ed Warinner anyone?
September 21st, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
Jake Ruddock.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:26 PM ^
So just don't lose........ duh........
September 20th, 2021 at 3:42 PM ^
No problem, right? Just be better than OSU, Clemson, Florida, Iowa State, Wisconsin and others that all have losses.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:41 PM ^
Channel your inner Woodson. Just win them all.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:40 PM ^
The program as a whole seems back on track. Even if this isn’t a championship season we are trending that way. We still are a pretty young team. I think this could be our 2015 season trending towards 2016
September 20th, 2021 at 3:45 PM ^
Possibly although losing Hill (potentially), Hutchinson and Ross on D will be challenging on that side.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:01 PM ^
Ross we can manage, as Colson is showing well. Ojabo and McGregor will be much better and will do okay.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:02 PM ^
Ross we can manage, as Colson is showing well. Ojabo and McGregor will be much better and will do okay.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:06 PM ^
We do have a 5* DB coming in but you're right, it's never a guarantee that they'll be able to fill the shoes of an NFL draft pick. The trajectory is good though, and we're already at a "next man up" level at a number of positions. Gotta keep building that depth, but our current coaching staff seems up to the task recruiting wise.
September 20th, 2021 at 9:20 PM ^
Also good to see all the second string action. That wasn’t a thing on defense in Brown’s years.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:51 PM ^
If I had a choice, I would say 1996 season trending toward 1997. That would be nice.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:45 PM ^
UMxWolverine, EGJ, and Uncle Leo are ready to report for duty,
September 21st, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^
I'm here, I'm pleasantly surprised we're blowing out nobodies like we did in 2016 which we havent seemed to do since. Rutgers is a decent team this year so that will be a good test.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:45 PM ^
I just want a ranked legit win. Washington wasn't it for me, they weren't ranked. Take down a ranked conference team on the road for me and I'll accept a ranked conference loss. We seem above our conference right now, prove it though.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:55 PM ^
No one cares what you will accept or not accept. That's the whole point of his comment and this thread.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:47 PM ^
There has definitely been a shift in culture especially from last two years. This year every player seems like they are having fun and congratulating each other during plays. I've noticed JJ McCarthy walking up and down the sidelines pumping his teammates up during big plays or TD's. I don't remember seeing that type of camaraderie last two years.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:16 PM ^
You can tell from their sidelines. They were flat the last couple of years, acting like they had to be there vs wanting to be there. A lot of that stems from the coaches. Bringing in a new, younger staff has already translated well. Players are amped on the sidelines.
Going beyond that, you can tell the culture has drastically improved just by how the players post on social media.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^
Hold your horses. It's been fun, but I'd like to see the results vs Wisconsin - HELL, even Buttgers. No let downs before a big Week in Madison!
September 20th, 2021 at 4:26 PM ^
One of the coolest GIFs I've ever seen ... and then you ruined it with needless and weird butt talk.
We can probably agree that pejorative butt talk isn't actually cool or interesting, right?
September 20th, 2021 at 5:51 PM ^
There’s such a thing as too much butts talk and a fella oughta be aware.
September 20th, 2021 at 6:16 PM ^
Wait, we can’t say Buttgerz any more? Because we can’t use butt as a put down any more? I don’t know, man. I’ll just quote Phife Dog, “Go get yourself some toilet paper cause your lyrics is butt.”
September 20th, 2021 at 4:00 PM ^
People will say "Michigan sucks" regardless of *when* the loss occurs... so just ignore them.
September 20th, 2021 at 6:26 PM ^
Depending on where you ask, they won't even have to lose.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:10 PM ^
I am cautiously optomistic....Wis Neb stretch will show us..Neb stood toe to toe with OK so thats going to be tough
September 20th, 2021 at 4:24 PM ^
Back-to-back road games in Madison and Lincoln. That's a tough stretch for any team.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:52 PM ^
burn the boats baby
September 20th, 2021 at 5:10 PM ^
He's not wrong.
September 20th, 2021 at 5:59 PM ^
September 20th, 2021 at 5:12 PM ^
simple solution. don't lose. lol.
September 20th, 2021 at 6:12 PM ^
Yep. Agree with this 100%. Everyone’s waiting to say- “told you Harbaugh was crap” and that “Michigan is mediocre”. I feel like one day after Saban is gone at Bama we will be saying the same thing.