Michigan Football 2023: "Inevitable" (as represented by Calvin & Hobbes)

Submitted by Cousin Larry on October 10th, 2023 at 10:10 AM

It may have been Joel Klatt.  It may have been another color commentator.  But somebody recently described this year's football team as possessing a sense of inevitability. 

As in, it may take more plays than other high-powered offenses, but it's inevitable that they are going to get into the endzone.  They aren't quick-strike, but it's inevitable that they'll be blowing out their opponent.  They aren't flashy, but it's inevitable that they will be at least heavily in the mix for a championship by the end of the year.

"Inevitable."  If Michigan wins the whole thing, that's what the book of this season should be titled.

Anyway, here's Calvin & Hobbes to better demonstrate the whole idea for you.  Have a great Tuesday!

MGoBoard
Football

Hensons Mobile…

October 10th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^

Klatt is the one going around saying "inevitable" about Michigan.

He also seems to be taking credit for calling us a "boa constrictor."

I thought that started from this blog's authors. In my mind it was as far back as 2018 but I can only find evidence of it from last year.

Did Klatt start it last year, or did MGoBlog?

Or is "boa constrictor" just an old football cliche and somehow I missed it.

Joined: 09/12/2019

MGoPoints: 49403

goblu330

October 10th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^

Honestly I think everybody just kind of started saying it at the same time because it is that applicable.  Nobody ever looks like they are going to be able to sustain what they are doing against Michigan.  It all becomes helpless flailing.  Resistance becomes less-less-less-less effective until teams just figuratively pass out.  Both offensively and defensively.

 

Joined: 01/07/2022

MGoPoints: 32123

JHumich

October 10th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^

1) When he began saying it a few weeks ago, it definitely seemed like he thought he came up with it.
2) The use of it here predates any recollection that I have of his use of it.
3) I think that we just discovered that Klatt reads MGoBlog.
4) This doesn't necessarily mean that he stole it. It's likely the image got tucked away in his memory and produced itself at the appropriate time, at which point he thought he was coming up with it.
5) Of course, I could be the one with the faulty memory. But I choose to believe that we learned that he reads MGoBlog.
6) I think it's funny that he made so much of PJ saying it, because it could well be that PJ got it from MGoBlog rather than from Klatt.

Joined: 02/18/2017

MGoPoints: 52926

1VaBlue1

October 10th, 2023 at 11:48 AM ^

My memory of the term dates to the 2018 night game against PSU, but the details of exactly when or who spoke it I don't recall.  May well have been something Brian wrote - because it sounds like a Brian type of reference.  And the reference was specifically about the DL because it maintained gap integrity so well.  That DL featured no stand out pass rusher, but all four just relentlessly closed in on the QB while maintaining gap coverage.  The overall effect was that the QB had nowhere to go - no open receivers because 7 men were in coverage; no escape lane because the DL had them all boxed in.

This more recent reference to a Boa is for the whole team.  And it fits perfectly...

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127087

Swayze Howell Sheen

October 10th, 2023 at 1:00 PM ^

Some Boa references from this site:

https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/borges-%27s-their-approach-and-it%27s-unique-college-football (November 2022)

https://mgoblog.com/diaries/michigan-drive-analysis-through-8-games (November 2022)

https://mgoblog.com/content/wtka-roundtable-11212019-title-remains-it%27s-over-because-it%27s-over (November 2019)

Reference to MSU(!) defense as one in 2013:

https://mgoblog.com/content/preview-michigan-state-2013

 

It's just a common term methinks

Joined: 10/05/2008

MGoPoints: 47106

JMo

October 10th, 2023 at 1:01 PM ^

Boa Constrictor and MGoBlog

2022 Klatt's reference using the term appears in the OSU Recap comments

2022 A Board Thread referencing the 'Boa Constrictor thing taking off' 

2022 Nebraska UFR another Brian reference

 

Earlier references:

2019 Wino/Gary 'Boa Constrictor D'

 

Apparent earliest football reference

2016 Wisconsin Preview - Brian references 'Boa Constrictor time' in reference to the D.

Joined: 12/14/2011

MGoPoints: 21008

Sam1863

October 10th, 2023 at 12:18 PM ^

The great baseball executive Branch Rickey, famous for the signing of Jackie Robinson, was a deeply religious man who would never curse. At moments of extreme anger or frustration, the worst Rickey would ever say was "Judas Priest!"

Since the ordinary cuss words are being taken away, I nominate this as the blog's unofficial profane utterance. At the very least, it'll confuse the hell out of people.

It also has a vintage heavy metal vibe ... which is nice.

Joined: 04/27/2014

MGoPoints: 28880

lmgoblue1

October 10th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^

I was sitting next to a Minnesota fan after they scored their touchdown at the end of the half. She looks at me and asks me if I am scared. I said no, but you should be.  

She left at the end of the third quarter.  She said it was the first time she left a game early.

That's how the Boa's do it.

GO BLUE!

 

Joined: 10/27/2012

MGoPoints: 12403

LB

October 10th, 2023 at 10:50 AM ^

I saw them more as a Komodo Dragon - take a bite and then slowly stalk the victim to the inevitable conclusion and start feeding while they are still breathing. I know I've witnessed the team eating corn, which would prove my point!

Joined: 09/26/2009

MGoPoints: 25605

The Mad Hatter

October 10th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^

I prefer to think of this years team like the Borg from Star Trek.

You can't outrun them; you can't destroy them. If you damage them, the essence of what they are remains; they regenerate and keep coming. Eventually you will weaken, your reserves will be gone… They are relentless.

Resistance is futile.

 

Joined: 02/17/2015

MGoPoints: 112109