Reading MGoBlog changes how I discuss Michigan football, how about you?

I think you'd be pressed to find any frequent mgoblog reader who doesn't run into this problem frequently.  Luckily for me, sharing the info I get from here is more of an eye-opener for friends/coworkers I talk to since they're more casual fans and open to hear about what's really going on.

I have noticed the same thing.  I have to really try to check myself so that I don't talk over most peoples heads.  I have to realize that there are a large amount of fans that get their knowledge from the game commentary, which we all know is far from accurate most of time, and far from informative.  

I work with a guy that is an OSU fan and he had no idea of the two divisions and the talk of moving The Game or Michigan OSU being in separate division, I had to educate him on all of it.  It was very aggravating to say the least.

I laughed, I cried!

I lost 15 pounds!

I cannot recommend this blog highly enough. 

is what we are privy to on this site...along with a TON of information, ridiculous statistical analysis, and a bit of humor.  Food for the well-informed fan.  I sat in my usual seat again Saturday, next to a guy who must have ponied up $ for scalped seats...had to listen to the usual ignorant, negative, anti-(insert current coach) drivel for one quarter.  I know what you mean..

If you visit other blogs, you will probably notice that none of them have as much info as this one does.  The moderation/self-policing system here helps keep the comments from degenerating into what I see on other blogs, too.  Between Brian, coaches, stats guys, and recruiting mavens, we get more info here than most people who subscribe to the "big boys" do. 

I have definately experienced a lot of the same. People will just keep saying some of the most uninformed, ridiculous nonsence that they just rehash from Rosenberg articles, or from ESPN about everything from practicegate, to RichRod's job security, to the status of the program, both pre and post RichRod. It is absolute garbage and hard to listen to, especially when they are so adament about how they are right and how they think they actually know their ass from their elbow. The crap I consistently hear on sportstalk radio is just absurd. People who say Rich ran this program into the dirt and just because of the name on the front of the jersey, they should be winning regardless of the talent they have on the field. Usually though, once you start bringing up statistical evidence, and not just argumentative bullshit, they will actually listen and begin to come around. You just have to call people out on their bullshit agendas and then tell them the wonders of MGoBlog. I have converted many to this blog for their information, and the ones who choose not to read it still will actively listen to any knowledge that I drop on them that actually has some truth to it. The bottom line is a blog like this will clearly make you more in tune with all that is happening in the program, whether it be recruiting, violations, coach discussions or play calling. You definately can't go wrong with a little MGoBlog.

I think anyone with a true football background of any kind has trouble conversing with non-players/coaches/students of the game.  This frustration is then compounded when the same person that really doesnt know alot about football tries to elaborate on their football knowledge specific to one team.  This site really is a wealth of knowledge not only from a factual standpoint but from the differing opinions that are proctored regarding the facts.  I certainly dont agree with everything I read regarding the UM football program here, but in most instances I can at least see the point of the arguments. 

In any case, its fun to debate things in a forum of non-haters as opposed to trying to carry on these conversations with fans of LESSER programs.   :)

...is the fan who takes the time to inform himself about the team...the information here is not spoon fed (GBW) or simplified National Enquirer like (Rivals, Scout). It does require some analysis. The mod system is effective (I *still* vote elitist, Brian) and the board participants ultimately decide quality...as opposed to the free for all elsewhere (hello ESPN boards). After exposure to the MGoCommunity who will inform on everything from Olympic Curling to PS3 games to defensive coaching you encounter others in the larger fanbase and are, well, disappointed they don't invest in their support they way you do.

Living in SEC country does not allow me to talk intelligently with anyone (or at least very few) on michigan football. But since most people here are Gators or transplanted Buckeyes, I am glad I have MGoBlog to help swart their ridiculous statements and assumptions. Thanks Brian and all contributors in helping me know the facts and help a few wayward morons out with some knowledge.

It amazes me how I'll get into a conversation with someone and they'll know NOTHING about our team yet feel perfectly comfortable opining about it. Best example I can think of:

My FB Status: It feels good to win.

Response from a friend (Michigan fan attending WMU): Still need to get rid of RR. But yes, the fact remains...GO BLUE

Let's ignore the fact that RR's offense was a major (if not THE) factor in winning that game. So yeah, it's nice to have MGoBlog out there to educate the masses and remind them that Michigan tradition didn't start in 1969.

of Coach Rod. I talk about the guys who left early, the new scheme, the 'decimated defense', the need for coach to get his players, etc. In general they just listen politely because there is really nothing they can say to support their comments.

No question. On Saturday,  I found myself talking about specific performances of players in specific games last year when discussing that player with other fans.  Brian and the team lay it out that well.

The baseless anti-Rodrgiuez speel of the Detroit and area media and the fans who follow that bunch seems sad, like they are missing out on a really cool story; where before this blog it sort of upset me. 

I guess because I understand day to day the process of building this program that is happening. Thanks to this blog.

I have way more respect for the players too because I know them better.

My frequent MGoBlogging has kind of made me the go-to-guy when it comes to talking about Michigan in my family. A lot of my friends who are M fans read this site, so they're pretty knowledgeable, but most of the non-MGoBlog folks kind of just parrot the MSM which is sad.

It has helped me greatly in knowing how to debunk all the outrageous assertions out there. It has also taught me how to research on my own and not just rely on the drivel I read on ESPN or see on tv.

Every time I come home from California to Michigan for Christmas I have 2 types of people I get to deal with whenever the topic of college football comes up:

1. Spartan fans (and sometimes Buckeye fans if anyone comes up from my mom's side of the family) who come up with the craziest shizzle you can imagine over the last two years, i.e. "I know someone, who knows someone who knows the punter at M and he says that every players hates RR and wants to transfer", and so on. You really even argue with them as their stance is simply so unreasonable as to warrant pointing out the positive recruiting stuff, the player's families chiming on, or really any evidence to the contrary. I just ended up smiling at them and saying something along the lines of 'well, I hear/read differently, we'll just have to see how it works out".

2. Lots of older UM alumnae that are friends with my parents that really do just kind of grab onto the few headlines they see in the off-season and have not much knowledge about what actually transpired with prectigate or any of the players that left. The vast majority of them are pretty reasonable and are genuinely interested in getting the real story, although when I mention checking out this or any other blog their eyes glazed over a bit. There are a very and vocal few that are vehemently anti-RR and they are the least informed of the whole bunch and I find it pointless to even discuss anything with them because, to be honest, even the Spartan fans have better and more informed opinions than they do. They don't want to hear or know anything positive about the coach or the program, they just want to be able to piss and moan about it and reality has nothing to do with it.

The real shocker has been the OSU fans from my mom's side of the family that actually live in Columbus. These are long time fans and definitely not of the mouth-breather variety. They sort of laugh at the practicegate predicament, but also understand the charges are BS. They actually know MORE about the results of the investigation than most of the M fans that i have talked to (including many here in California), sad as that sounds. They are actually pulling for the anti-RR faction to succeed and have on many occasions expressed the fear that M could leapfrog them under RR should he be given the opportunity to succeed. If nothing else, they would love to see us have to transition to a new coach all over again.

Because of this blog, I get to have a much more informed and fact-based opinion and have become a bit of a hub for many of the older alumnae that I know and often I just reply to them with a link to an article and/or the comments section of this here blog. It saves me a lot of time typing. 

It's very very frustrating to try and condense "Decimated Defense" into a few sentences to try and explain why the defense has been bad, and it's nearly impossible to try and explain to someone the causes and effects of the last couple seasons and why getting a new coach after this year would not be in our best interests.