Why do I (we?) do this to myself?
I was absolutely devastated after the MSU game. I truly can't think of a stronger word than devastated. I had a two mile walk back to my car, and I was 100% soaked - had I jumped in a pool it would not have made me more wet. My phone was waterlogged and was completely destroyed. On Saturday night, I literally had nightmares about the game. Sunday was no better. By Monday, I had regained some semblance of functionality, and by today, I felt decent, at least somewhat like myself again. Then the US debacle happened, and the World Cup I've been buzzing about since the final whistle against Belgium in 2014 evaporated into thin air.
I truly don't think I have ever had such a profound combined reaction to a pair of sporting events than I've had toward the MSU game and the World Cup failure. I don't know if this is normal or if I'm unique in terms of the depth of my misery (and I suppose the validity of this question hinges on the answer to that question), but... for all of you who are like me: why do I do this to myself? Why do you do this to yourselves?
For Michigan, it's been 13 years since the last Big Ten championship, 20 years since the last National Championship (for reference, I am in my early 30s, so this drought is especially significant when compared to how long I've been alive). On the USMNT side, we've never been relevant in international soccer, and the successes worth celebrating have been few and far between. Clearly, the ratio of success to failure among the teams I'm most passionate about is grossly skewed toward the negative.
So I guess the question is... what keeps you coming back? Why are you still here 3 days after a gut-wrenching loss hitting F1 and begging for more? I am genuinely interested in hearing responses from others who consider themselves to be in the same boat as myself.
(To those for whom this delves too far into the realm of the touchy-feely: feel free to neg away. As you can see, I've been registered here for quite awhile and never bothered much with the pursuit of points)
October 11th, 2017 at 8:27 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 8:56 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 8:59 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 9:03 AM ^
because
October 11th, 2017 at 9:05 AM ^
Can't deny that
October 11th, 2017 at 9:19 AM ^
I hate these fucking threads.
October 11th, 2017 at 9:30 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 1:54 PM ^
When our team loses a rivalry game, our brains don't produce the endorphins we were expecting and we get all cranky and irrational, like a drug addict denied a fix.
Like the OSU fans on 11W who were saying Urban was overrated a few weeks ago b/c they lost a home game to Oklahoma, who has a Heisman candidate QB. Or MSU fans last season who were wondering if the Dantonio era might be over. Just a hysterical, irrational response.
We are no different.
We didn't get our endorphins, and we are pissed, and that must be SOMEONE'S fault.
The sky is not falling. We have one of the best coaches in CFB, and absolutely THE best guy for our team, and we are going to be just fine. Everyone just needs to calm down and enjoy this team/program as JH works his magic over time.
October 11th, 2017 at 9:52 AM ^
Really tough to lose to MSU again when everyone thought they had no chance, it was a 12 point spread or so. At home, at night, and nearly a 2 touchdown favorite is a tough pill to swallow.
It's especially tough for me as I have many State Grads where I work (Including my boss), and several State Alums in my family who are going to remind me about this game all year.
I've already talked to some of these people about the game, they've been mostly gracious. And I will begrudgingly give them credit, MSU outplayed us for the 1st half, they were up 14-3 and deserved to be up and looked like the better team. 2nd half was a tale of 2 strategies, we needed to pass because we needed to score, they simply played it safe and punted. Special teams is why we got a short field to work with or the game would likely have ended 14-3.. We weren't going to drive the length of the field agains ttheir defense.
So where do we go from here? We have a very young team, we improve, that's what we do. I don't think it has a thing to do with our approach to this rivalry, this team takes this rivalry very seriously, did you see our players crying after the game? MSU's starters were actually younger than ours, that's crazy to me. I could understand how they could beat us with a team stacked with upperclassmen, but they started 3 true fresdhman and 14 total freshman or sophomores in eligibility. MSU has only 5 seniors in their 2 deep, 5! This boggles my mind, it doesn't compute. All I can hope is that our higher ranked players will grow faster than their lower ranked players and reach much higher ceilings. If that doesn't happen, I really don't like our chances at their place next season. We need a stud QB, and we need a stud O line, these are the 2 things I thought I would least have to worry about under Harbaugh.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:10 AM ^
I feel like I need to take a year off of college football but never go through with it because of my sense of loyalty to Michigan.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:12 AM ^
Just a tip. Bring a quart sized ziploc bag with you to football games that have a chance of rain. Then when it starts raining you put your phone, wallet, and keys in the bag. That way no matter how wet you get your stuff is dry.
Also learn the difference between water resistant and water proof.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:12 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 10:31 AM ^
Yes, I'm well aware that losing is not the same as a car accident. Forgive my hyperbole, I guess. For the record, I don't "throw shit", I don't break shit or start fights or get wasted or skp work. I literally just feel bad, that's all.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
Here's how I am dealing with it. And lots of folks will not like this. But, I think we all have to change our expectations. We are just not going to compete with the college football elite on a yearly basis. There will be those years where we will be very good, and may compete for a national title. But, mostly due to a string of bad decisions in the AD, we seem to have settled on a tier below the likes of OSU, Alabama, and Clemson. We are on a tier with Udub and PSU - not a contender every year, but every few years we might be. I think that's the reality of the program for the next several years. I hope I'm wrong. But until I'm proven wrong, I'll expect some losses.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:36 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 11:42 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 1:46 PM ^
CFB is insane and that is why we watch.
I tend to think about the most painful losses - Colorado Hail Mary, MSU PI no-call against Desmond, Spartan Bob clock scandal, MSU punt muff, OSU Barrett not making the line in 3OT, etc.
Why not remember Desmond The Catch, Woodson vs OSU, UTL Denard dramatics, Tyrone Wheatley Sr. in the Rose Bowl, Harbaugh to Kolesar vs OSU in '85, Kolesar vs OSU in '89, etc?
We've had a lot more good moments than bad
October 11th, 2017 at 4:05 PM ^
We all think building a program is a linear process...it very much is not. Part of the success in the first two years was leveraging experience that was on the roster. This year we lost much of that experience, and while the defense was ready to reload and keep at it the offense is just not there yet. So it looks like regression, but the reality is it's a minor bump in the road. Sucks because that means another year of again not competing for a championship, but that's life.
We've had some absolute shit luck under Harbaugh so far. But I think that will correct itself...it's gonna take some time to get back there, and I know it's hard to tell fans to remain patient, but that is our reality right now.
Besides, the record is still 4-1. This year is far from over...the offense has struggled mightily but that doesn't mean it can't get better.
October 11th, 2017 at 10:52 AM ^
I don't "do this" to myself.
Also, your vagina is showing.
October 11th, 2017 at 11:00 AM ^
If you had more experience with them, you would know that vaginas are some of the toughest living things on the planet.
October 11th, 2017 at 11:09 AM ^
I do just fine, thanks.
October 11th, 2017 at 11:49 AM ^
I'd like to see any of you male posters try to push an 8 lb infant out your peep holes. #VaginaTough
October 11th, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 12:10 PM ^
It would indeed be a hard pass.
October 11th, 2017 at 12:49 PM ^
I like the wit, even if my pride is still stinging from your previous comment.
October 11th, 2017 at 12:48 PM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 12:50 PM ^
Shut up, Salvatore.
And fuck Agent Orange as well.
October 11th, 2017 at 6:15 PM ^
October 12th, 2017 at 11:04 AM ^
Just because you think something, doesn't mean it's true. But you don't know that, obviously.
October 11th, 2017 at 12:56 PM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^
Man, we need to get our shit together. We're really coming off like a bunch of sad sacks - as if watching Michigan football is some kind of horrendous, sisyphean(sp?) task we are cursed with. Yeesh. Usually, its pretty great. This was a shitty loss, no doubt, but lets get over it. Between this post and the one yesterday lamenting about how we never get any bounces or calls, like we've been placed under the curse of some Ohio witch, I'm starting to wonder if we're a soft fanbase.
The USA loss was another kick in the nuts I definitely could've done without. And the NAts will probably get knocked out of the playoffs today putting a cap on the worst sports week (not even a full week, jeez) I've had in a long time. On top of that, I'm a fierce Democrat, so you know, we haven't had too many victories lately either.
But, we do it because we compete. Gotta get up and punch 'em right back in the mouth. Now let's get it togther, beat Indiana and go to Penn State and fuck their shit up! GO BLUE!!!!
October 11th, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
You have no idea what disappointment really is.
1970: 9-1; no bowl game
1972: 10-1; no bowl game
1973: 10-0-1; no bowl game
1974: 10-1; no bowl game
October 11th, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^
I've learned from my son: Bad game. Don't dwell. Move on.
October 11th, 2017 at 11:51 AM ^
We need help. I hate michigan state and most of their fans. Hate, hate, hate. That is not all.
October 11th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^
So I guess the question is... what keeps you coming back? Why are you still here 3 days after a gut-wrenching loss hitting F1 and begging for more?
- I've been going to see Michigan play football since my Dad took me to my first game when I was 8 years old.
- I'm an alumnus (Class of 1993)
- I love Michigan
- I am completely secure in my schools place in the academic and athletic world and don't give a fuck about the opinion of MSU fans, OSU fans, and Paul Finebaum.
October 11th, 2017 at 12:06 PM ^
Forget what I posted.
October 11th, 2017 at 12:08 PM ^
I, too, get too invested. I am 24 and have only seen hardship as a UM fan. And I grew up in Ohio. It has been a rough ride... but there is light at the end of the tunnel! Went to U of M and worked in the recruiting department. This staff is taking this program to new levels, but unfortunately this is the year we pay for the 2014/2015 class struggles. We simply cannot hide it.
We will be good to great from 2018 and on for many years. It takes at least three solid recruiting classes to get rolling, and once Harbaugh is rolling, we will be damn tough to beat. That loss was terrible, and it shouldnt have happened in Year 3, but it did. Lets just hope we can beat Penn St &/or ruin Ohio State's season. There is talent on this offense. Harbaugh has stated he thinks Onwenu will have a long career in football. DPJ will be a great talent. McKeon has major potential. Bredeson and Cole could, and should, be NFL guys. Our RBs are good but not great.
Year 4 & 5 must be the years of reckoning. Harbaugh needs to win a B10 title and get us to the playoff, for the sake of sanity of the Michigan Fanbase.
He will!
October 11th, 2017 at 12:15 PM ^
Lets just hope we can beat Penn St &/or ruin Ohio State's season.I'd like to point out that if we find a way to beat Penn State and ruin Ohio State's season, it probably means we're heading to Indianapolis to play for the conference championship.
October 11th, 2017 at 12:53 PM ^
And I honestly don't give a fuck about PSU. Spend every waking moment preparing for OSU.
October 11th, 2017 at 1:31 PM ^
Let's do both, I'm greedy. Plus, think how satisfying it would be after all the wailing and gnashing of teeth this week, to be holding up the Big Ten Championship trophy in December.
Long shot, I admit, and losing to Sparty has pretty much removed any margin for error.
Beating OSU would make for a nice consolation prize though.
October 11th, 2017 at 1:43 PM ^
this week, I still can't care that much about MSU. Yes, I'm annoyed we lost. But that's all it is, an annoyance. And maybe it's hubris (or stupidity), but I fully expected to beat PSU this year before Speight got hurt (even with his iffy play, which I thought would slowly improve). But now that we have a happy footed QB playing behind a line for whom pass protection is a foreign concept, I'm not so sure.
Was it 2015 when we pitched all those shut-outs? Let's do that again this year. We might have to.
October 12th, 2017 at 7:38 AM ^
If this team is going to go anywhere, the defense is going to have to take us. The offense can do their part by not handing the ball back to the opposition. Bottom line, games this year are going to be tense affairs week-to-week. No 79-0 thrashings of Rutgers where we can relax by halftime.
October 12th, 2017 at 8:42 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
It would be way too painful to give up on the university I love, even after a sh*t game like that
October 11th, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^
I haven't logged in to post a comment on Mgoblog for 5 years, but something about this thread touched a nerve.
Like the OP I am always miserable after a loss, especially after a loss to a rival. I have followed M football for forever (I am in my mid 40's) and unfortunately the sting from a loss doesn't seem to get less painful as the years go by.
So why do I allow myself to be so emotionally vulnerable when it comes to M sports?
Because the pain of defeat is the price I pay for the elation that comes from a big win, a big ten championship season, or a Natty. If you are not invested emotionally in your team and don't feel every loss, then you wont feel the wins either.
This season may have a few more dark days in store for us, but it will be worth the investment. Michigan will be back to being a perenial powerhouse soon and the good times and feelings will roll!
Go Blue!
October 11th, 2017 at 12:32 PM ^
I honestly don't understand the question.
October 11th, 2017 at 12:45 PM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 12:47 PM ^
Because Math.
Because eventually both programs have to succeed just based on the mathematical odds that eventually they'll win championships even by accident.
The Cubs eventually made it happen so....