My Unexpected CFP Emotional Journey
When the game was a blowout in Q1 and Donovan and Blake were having their way, it felt like the 4th quarter of 2022 OSU. Long runs vs. an overmatched and unprepared defense. JJ picking spots. I was disappointed it felt like we’d blow them out. I wanted to beat a worthwhile competitor. I didn't want to hear "they should have played [fill in the blank]."
Then it got close and I just wanted to win. Washington's defense started filling in some gaps while our play calling got conservative. To their credit, their DBs made some great plays to prevent stick moving completions. Our WRs dropped some on-target throws.
I never thought we’d lose but Michigan hating god was in my mind. It started to feel like the Rose Bowl with Alabama for a while. Stuck in the mud. Just win, I thought. I told my wife that I didn’t want a fun or close game anymore. Then inside the 10, JJ takes off, avoiding potential disaster, and makes a big play. I thought that might be the drive but it stalls. Up just 7. Tension remains but Washington can't capitalize.
Finally, Loveland pulled that ball from the heavens and I felt confident that this was the drive that would end it. Next, JJ made a smart play and threw to an open Roman in the flat, not repeating the mistake he made on the first throw vs. ALA in the Rose. Confidence rising but it's not over. Excitement building. We could all feel it. And Blake delivered. He always delivered. Blake the Great. Tears falling.
As Penix drove the field you knew it wasnt over. 14 points in 6 minutes is not insurmountable. But it was insurmountable. This is the best Michigan defense of all time. And it happened. Mike's near pick 6 brought tears to my eyes once again. I started jumping up and down because I knew it was over then. A "no star" defense in recruiting terms that has grown to have multiple stars at every level. Next guy up mentality on display at DT and safety when called upon. Barrett and Colson being standard bearers at LB. Guys playing with clubs on their hands for half a season that exemplify toughness, commitment, and "Love of team," when the sport is increasingly dominated by NIL and stat seeking star players. Transfers coming in and making a huge difference (thank you Josh and Josiah!). Will Johnson giving credit to the D Line and coaching staff. Blake giving credit to his OL. Everyone happier than the Don for him to score those two TDs in the fashion that he did. The Team. The Team. The Team.
Then it was over. Confetti falls. JJ, Blake, Jim--obviously happy but it looked like they were disappointed it was over. Maybe reality of Team 144's last game setting in. Maybe they were thinking F-U to all the haters but did their best to contain it on that stage. "Bring it down!" Or maybe they felt like I did.
For me, when we won, I thought it felt anticlimactic. And I was disappointed in myself for feeling that way. Why wasn't I happier at this moment? But as I sat on the couch I realized it was something else. I had mixed emotions. I thought I’d be jumping all around. Instead I felt peace. I still feel it. Like a relief and weight I’ve been carrying for so long has been lifted. This season was insane but I knew we could win it all year. I expected to win and They did it. Then thoughts went to Blake, Sainristril and the others that will never don the winged helmet again. Mt Rushmore for those two. And honestly felt bad for the Washington seniors that will never play again. Penix was battered. Their RB was battered. They left it out there. They were worthy competitors that deserved to be on that field.
I started my journey as an out-of-state freshman at Michigan in 1998, barely missing out on that "shared" national championship we have heard so much about. Being there for the Tom Brady years has always been the consolation for enduring periods of embarrassment, failure to meet expectations, and mediocrity.
The last 3 years have been the greatest in Michigan history. And last night is a night I will remember until the lights turn off. Tearing up as I type. It happened. We stuck through it all. And it was worth the wait.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:27 AM ^
Hail.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:40 AM ^
We're going to have 80 of these posts today and I will not downvote a single one.
We're all kings and queens for the day. Let's be happy, together.
January 9th, 2024 at 7:09 PM ^
Amen. They will fizzle out in a week, they always do. Let them have their moment now. We have earned this.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:29 AM ^
"For me, when we won, I thought it felt anticlimactic. And I was disappointed in myself for feeling that way. Why wasn't I happier at this moment?"
I felt/feel this way, too. I finally watched a video my wife sent me of my 2yo daughter from before the game, but this was my first time able to hear the content. She was clapping along and sort of saying some of the words to The Victors. I texted my wife and told her I was happy I made it to Houston & that we won. However, I blamed her and the kids for muting my joy in the best way ever. It wasn't the same without them to go crazy with. That's parenthood, I guess.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:33 AM ^
Amen….
January 9th, 2024 at 11:58 AM ^
I was in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1998 - my sophomore year, I stormed the field after the game, ran around hugging players, and smoked a cigar on the 50 yard line with my best friend.
Last night, I was on my couch in my living room, surrounded by my family - screaming and hugging my wife and kids with every big play, singing the Victors after the clock hit zero.
I don't know that I could pick which was the better experience. Being on the field in 97, surrounded by the team and friends, or being at home this time, surrounded by my kids. Like you said, that's parenthood.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:07 PM ^
I ran on the field in 03 when we beat OSU. Had my kids after. This was the first year I took them to THE GAME because I thought how important and historical it could be. And they ran the field. Priceless.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:24 PM ^
Appreciate you writing this. I had a pretty similar situation in that I went without my wife, very young kid and parents. It is so special to be there but it doesn't feel quite right not having those folks there with you too!
January 9th, 2024 at 11:29 AM ^
For me, when we won, I thought it felt anticlimactic.
You lost me here. This is the best thing thats ever happened.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:37 AM ^
For me it was somewhat anticlimatic as well. Part of it is how the game unfolded where we were always in the lead and then pulled away late.
Part of it is how my main feeling was relief. Pure joy was OSU 2021 (and 22 and 23) and Alabama 2023/4. Before the game my thoughts were how I hope we win, but I mainly didn't want the way I felt after OSU 21-23 and Alabama to be cheapened or lessened whenever I looked back in the future. If we won, it wouldn't. If we lost a close good game, it wouldn't. If we stepped on our dicks or played like butt and lost, then it would have taken something away from that pure joy looking back. Thank goodness we won.
I'm glad it's pure joy for you and many others.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:33 AM ^
I, too, was a freshman @ Michigan in 1998 - so "hello!". I was the in-state variety, however, growing up only 15 minutes away from the Big House.
"For me, when we won, I thought it felt anticlimactic. And I was disappointed in myself for feeling that way. Why wasn't I happier at this moment? "
I get this. For me I was super happy (obvs) but there's just no more big emotions left in the tank. After everything that happened this year... the best analogy I can make is (and outdated for me as I'm a married dude.. but...) it's like if you're in your single days and have a ton of fun out one evening. Friday - have an amazing evening with good company. Saturday, go out again - have yet another amazing evening with good company. Was it great? Sure, but you're still a bit tired from Friday's adventures. Sunday comes around. Another great evening? Man, can't believe it. Still great, but now you're really tired from Friday and Saturday's adventures. I feel like last night was the Sunday in the above scenario. Returning to football - It's also (nearly) impossible to top the dramatics from the Rose Bowl. More build up (time) to that game. Saban. SEC. The Rose Bowl. Overtime. 4th down stop. Last night's game culmination was with Blake's last TD which, in comparison, was more anticlimactic.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:34 AM ^
No CFP team had ever rushed for more than 100 yds in any one quarter. Michigan had 174 in the first quarter
January 9th, 2024 at 11:36 AM ^
If you were like me, until we vanquished Alabama, I didn't really know what we had. Our "quality" wins...PSU and OSU...turned in embarrassing bowl losses. Iowa too. Was Team 144 really a good, or was the Big Ten overrated? Which was the case often in the past. For me, the Alabama win confirmed, on a national stage that this team was legit and deserved its ranking. I was overjoyed. But, winning against Washington was simply taking care of business.
January 9th, 2024 at 7:11 PM ^
Bowl losses in the "sit-out" era are a measure of nothing. OSU and PSU were depleted of key personnel.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:37 AM ^
After the Bama win I was running around, freaking out, screaming, the happiest I have been in a while. When they won last night I think I was the same way. Like finally they did it. I was excited and proud, but also I didn't run around screaming, freaking out, nothing like that. It was just like yeah, this is what was supposed to happen and what is right and I enjoyed it. I watched the interviews and ESPN and then went to bed knowing the Michigan Wolverines were freaking national champions and everything just felt right.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:11 PM ^
I was much crazier after ALA, full of yells and jumping all around. It was like we needed the proof we could compete and finally did it. We had arrived, it seemed. For WA I think it felt more like we HAD to do it because I knew we should. We achieved the expected and if we didnt it would have been a massive blow. Hence more feelings of relief than outright exuberance (which I had at points, for sure!).
January 9th, 2024 at 11:40 AM ^
So proud of them for them. Their parents must be on cloud nine. What a group of men.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:43 AM ^
I’m 53, I stopped jumping up and down to celebrate years ago. 3 years ago. It’s OK to enjoy it when your team wins. I did share a couple high fives with my son, who thankfully stuck around an extra day to watch the game with his dad before heading back to school. He showed almost zero interest in football before this season. Spending time with him watching this team has been the high point for me. That, and the undefeated, 15-0 National Championship.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
I was calm, but I typically am during games. I savor watching Michigan football win or lose. Was very confident the team would not be denied thier goal. Washington had to rely a lot on Penix to be great in order for them to have a chance. That's too much to ask of one guy against this defense.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
Well said, friend. They are indeed A Band of Brothers. Linked forever in life through this common bond. And us, for us, the pain of the RR and BH years leading to this sweetest of joys. We will ALL remember this for the rest of our lives. It will indeed never get better than this. But who's got it better than us? Nobody. And nobody EVER will. Because they did not have to endure what this fan base endured. Those who stay......
Go Blue!!
January 9th, 2024 at 11:57 AM ^
snowflake threads are approved, because we won.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:11 PM ^
I said almost the exact same thing to my son, recounting the plays, knew we’d won with 6 min left. We were cheering like crazy. So great to soak it in, but the interception was the icing on the cake. Go Blue!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:13 PM ^
Nice summary! To be fair, Will Johnson is probably not a "no star." And boy Mikey has the heart of a lion. Love this defense. Love Blake, Loveland and the crew. Love TEAM 144!!! Unbelievable season. Easily the best since I started following them as a second grader at Pattengill elementary school in Ann Arbor almost 50 years ago!! GO BLUE!!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:17 PM ^
Well said. You captured the emotions of many. I grew up a Michigan fan from afar in New Jersey then got a chance to enjoy my fandom up close living in Ann Arbor for 10 years. I witnessed heartbreak of the Colorado Hail Mary loss in 1994, my first season in town, then experienced the renaissance of program glory in 1997 and a split national championship that always shortchanged the many contributors of that undefeated season.
I'll never forget Lloyd Carr telling his winning lockeroom, "You've just won the National Championship." But it was a split title, shared with Nebraska which we vanquished so thoroughly since Tom Osborne's last team shoehorned a share of our dream season atop the rankings.
This year, we all looked forward to those who stayed coming back and following through with their pledge to finish their inconclusive postseason work.
WE had no doubts about their commitment to purpose but then the college football hating world sought to derail our glorious season. And they bullied the Big Ten commissioner to officially wreck it and treat our school and program like cow dung, suspending our coach on the flight to the biggest road game on our schedule for a sign-stealing crime it couldn't quantify, calculate or challenge beyond a rogue aide's alleged vast network of camera phone surveillance force of advance Michigan football analysts.
Except our team didn't care. They heard the noise and blocked it out attacking the challenge like every other obstacle in their path to an unmistakable confirmation of commitment, a title without doubt, vanquishing everything in the process: National Champions - forever.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:19 PM ^
Go Blue!!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:23 PM ^
Watching all of this with my 12 year old son was absolutely amazing.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:33 PM ^
Simply I’m just grateful, these championships although seem easy to win are very difficult to win so fellow Michigan fans enjoy it!
January 9th, 2024 at 1:47 PM ^
Feel your sentiments. What a game. What a season!!
January 9th, 2024 at 2:26 PM ^
I didn't cry until this morning. It took sleeping on it to process my emotions. I'm just so grateful to witness this. I've dreamed of this since I was a kid, long after 1997. For many years, I thought it was impossible. Jim and this team, and all the teams before, played a part in this season. All those confetti pieces tell a story. I like to think that just one of those little maize and blue peices of paper tells my story too. All the heartache and soul crushing defeats. Remaining unwavering through it all. You're right, it was all worth it in the end.
Team 144 forever.
To everyone that doubted this team, talked shit for YEARS, and, in particular, for all those OSU fans that rubbed all that heartache in my face both in person or otherwise:
Hail to the fucking Victors.
January 9th, 2024 at 7:17 PM ^
For me, when we won, I thought it felt anticlimactic.
I can see this a little bit. This game had a little bit of a "Big Ten Championship Game" feel to it. Specifically the resent Michigan - Purdue BTCG.
After the passion and excitement of beating Ohio State (or Alabama in the Rose Bowl in this case), there was a bit of a dispassionate "this is business" comedown as we faced Purdue, a team we matched up well with (Washington in this case), in a cold sterile corporate NFL stadium.
It was a satisfaction win - a very deep satisfaction to be sure - not an exciting passionate win.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:22 PM ^
I've been having some similar feelings and this post helps me with processing. Thanks a ton for writing this. Go Blue and remember, It's Great to Be a Michigan Wolverine!!!