You MUST listen to the last section of the podcast
I discovered this blog shortly after Brian created it. It became a part of my life. I got to know Brian through his writing and then met him a few times in person. This site and its authors sucked me in and I've never looked back. It got me through some bad times and made some good ones sweeter.
Brian posted on Twitter before the championship that he isn't sure whether another school could have a blog like this. He credited the University itself and the community that this site created and he was right. But he shaped the community from our one of a kind university.
Want to know how and why--listen to the last section of the podcast and then listen to it again. Soak in the feelings from not just Brian, but Seth, Alex, and Dave. Then let them know.
Hats off to you guys! My next stop is beveled guilt.
January 11th, 2024 at 2:48 PM ^
..and the Sklar brothers! All kidding aside, it was a great listen. They have built something truly great and they should all be very proud.
January 11th, 2024 at 2:49 PM ^
Seth called that last segment "self indulgent" of them. But I don't care. It speaks to how we all feel in response to that game, and this season. This site has been a special place to all of us over for a very long time. Soak it all in everyone. A championship run will not feel like this again for a very long time.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:18 PM ^
Speaking of self-indulgent, how many times did Alex get fired in that final segment for being young?
January 11th, 2024 at 3:49 PM ^
Every once in a while it’s wonderful just to drink in people being happy. Indeed, one of the things that gets me the most about a sport like this is the wonder of thousands and thousands celebrating the same thing at the same time. We love the reaction videos and the crowd shots and all that.
D’Mello’s hype video for the championship game is mostly what we expect, which is good. But, and perhaps just because it’s the music cue he chose, he finished the vid with something unusual. It doesn’t finish with action shots from the season or hype for the next game. It is shot after shot of the players celebrating. Rejoicing. Joy. Even before they won the ultimate victory, this team had accomplished so much, and it was just a perfect glimpse at these young men that we have enjoyed so much enjoying the rewards of all of the hard work they have put in.
It’s wonderful.
I can’t wait to listen to this. They are our friends, with whom we have shared years of following Michigan.
January 11th, 2024 at 6:19 PM ^
And you sir get a call out!!!
I've lurked since very close to the beginning. I've seen a lot of posters come and go. Unfortunately some of my favorites.
You have always been on the plus side of the ledger. There are many of folks like yourself who I feel I know because of this site.
I didn't make an account until a few years ago, and do not post much, but I look forward to introduce myself to you at the camping trip!!!
January 11th, 2024 at 2:52 PM ^
I wonder if Brian ever got close to shutting this down in the darkest of times. Maybe he's covered that someplace already.
January 11th, 2024 at 2:56 PM ^
After the 2019 Ohio State game I thought that was it.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:27 PM ^
Yes. Go back to the 2021 season preview. Incredibly poignant as a Dark Night of the Soul kind of moment.
January 11th, 2024 at 2:55 PM ^
I was a longtime lurker here during the Rich Rod and Hoke years and only created an account in the last few. Reading MgoBlog was a retreat for my sanity throughout the tumult. For a long time that’s all it was…give me the feelings, Brian and tell me what the hell is going on. Then it became a repository of deep football knowledge beyond the game on Saturday, that allowed me to deepen my understanding of a game I loved and have so much more appreciation for the little things players and coaches were doing to win games. Then it became a haven because I found it hard to have any real meaningful conversations with casual fans because I wanted to explain all the things I learned here while they wanted to know “why we don’t chuck it deep more” like that one PSU reporter arguing with Frames, and only fellow MgoBlog readers could really talk shop with me in a way that was fun.
This place goes beyond Brian now to so many people who contribute to the blog and to so many posters who are on this board, but it is here because of him. And it may not still exist without Seth and his plethora of hats worn. I can’t thank you both enough for doing what you do, keeping this space alive and thriving. I didn’t have a chance to go to either game this year but if I had, please believe me that I’d have been in line to give you both the biggest hugs and tell you all of this and more in person. Thank you, sincerely and deeply
January 11th, 2024 at 3:04 PM ^
What was really cool about this season here, aside from ya know, winning the title, was the way this site came together immediately during sign-gate.
There are all kinds of people on this site, white and black, Christian and Muslim, far left and full blown MAGAs, gun-lovers and gun-haters, burly farmers and soccer moms, rich people and people who don't know where their next rent payment is coming from. And there is often a TON of argument on this site about literally everything. But the second people started coming at Michigan like that everybody on here reacted in simultaneously like somebody had slapped our first born. Immediately, "NO, NO, NO, NO, you come after one of us and you are going to have take down all of us."
That was cool to see.
January 11th, 2024 at 6:39 PM ^
Well said NeverPunt. This perfectly encapsulates my relationship with Mgoblog- as I’m sure it does for many others too. I was a LONG time lurker and only created an account after however many years and crazy to see how long even that has been now.
It has given me such a deeper understanding of football from being a diehard but not a ball-knower in the past. Though I still obviously don’t know half of what Seth, Brian, Alex and the rest of the staff do but that’s why I love this place. And of course has given me a place to process my Michigan football emotions after all the big ups and downs with all the insightful posts and takes. Incomparable.
Also like you touched on- so happy Seth stepped up and put the site on his back for the year (2021?) when it needed to be done. As has been said countless times, the last 3 years are story book after what 2020 seemed to portend.
No bigger up than this. Team 144 forever
January 11th, 2024 at 2:57 PM ^
So many aspects of this blog I value, it’s a like a buffet of things Michigan. But the one element that stands out to me is how ur authors and members describe their interactions and emotions for this program.
I enjoy reading post and comments to learn about others experiences.
The last three years have reset the standards of Michigan football. This is the new bench mark, no longer are referencing the past.
the program has been reimaged for the better
January 11th, 2024 at 2:58 PM ^
Early in Brian's monologue during the final section of the pod he referred to the site as, "our site". I'm sure he meant the team at MGoBlog but this place really does feel like a community and I am super proud to be a member of this community. This place means A LOT to me and I'm super thankful it exists. Thanks to everyone, Brian, Seth, Alex, Dave et al for making this place amazing.
GO BLUE!
January 11th, 2024 at 3:03 PM ^
I've only made it through the first segment but I can't wait. When we won, I hoped for a podcast like this. If they do an hourlong podcast that's just them laughing with occasional ad breaks, I'll listen to it. If they do one that's just them sobbing tears of joy for an hour, I'll listen. They've earned an "all-vibes" podcast, I don't need hard technical analysis. 15-0 are the only numbers that matter now.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:14 PM ^
Stupid onions. Appreciate those guys so much.
This site took my mind out of the shit I was facing in Baghdad in 2010-2011.
Helped me understand the "why" of us being so bad under RR/Hoke.
The coverage of hiring Harbaugh and the epic failure of Dave Brandon, aided by WD.
The user content is amazing. The outing of that Bama fan with multiple user names, the implosion of WD, and more.
He and his team have done an invaluable service.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:18 PM ^
I read the pod notes before listening, and went straight to that last section to start. Absolutely beautiful. I cried. I don't have social media really. This blog is the only website I'm on every single day. It's been a part of my life for at least 10 years. Thank you Brian, Seth, et al.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:19 PM ^
Trying not to tear up at work.
Thank you all for everything.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:28 PM ^
From the bottom of my heart, I love the state of Michigan, The University of Michigan, and this blog. No joke, I refresh, this website 50+ times a day. Thank you all. Cheers!
January 11th, 2024 at 3:40 PM ^
Holy smokes, the emotions on display from them, touching on the depths of what this community has endured, what it's meant for them personally, etc, was something else.
Really makes you think about how special a place this blog is.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:40 PM ^
You have me beat by three months OP. Joined before the dark years but Michigan couldn't beat Ohio State. I stuck around more so for the community than anything else. Eventually I started reading the UFRs and the game recaps.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:42 PM ^
I second this, I don’t listen to many of the mgoblog podcasts, a few here and there, but the end was amazing. I related to Seth a lot with recently losing by father in 2021 before this magical run. Thanks to the whole mgoblog team for everything you do.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:43 PM ^
Great segment. Thanks to Brian, Seth, Alex, Dave and the whole team. It's been emotional for many of us, for various reasons. We can enjoy this now...and forever!
January 11th, 2024 at 3:44 PM ^
My grandfather was the man who got me into Michigan football. He was a huge part of my life, and he passed away right around the start of the Harbaugh era.
This place was such a great refuge for me during that time, because this was the only place I knew that had people who got it the way that I got it. That last segment really hit home because it felt so good to hear that the people who make this place what it is feel the same way about it that I feel.
Thank you guys. I'm so glad we got to go on this journey together.
January 11th, 2024 at 4:32 PM ^
I just hope I’m one of the “some posters” Brian mentioned.
January 11th, 2024 at 4:39 PM ^
Yes, definitely a must listen but I don't recommend doing it while working out at a public gym. It got really awkward when I was fighting back tears finishing my set.
January 11th, 2024 at 4:50 PM ^
Dont tell me what to do
January 11th, 2024 at 5:28 PM ^
Seth and Brian brought tears to my eyes, thanks for sharing all the personal stories.
January 11th, 2024 at 5:30 PM ^
I googled "MUST listen to the last section of the podcast" and about 1,000,000 results occurred.
Which one do I need to listen to?
January 11th, 2024 at 7:59 PM ^
Who's the COWARD that NEGBANGED me but is too lazy to explain it or provide a link? Then ran away.
I thought people here were helpful people.
Guess I thought wrong!!!!
January 11th, 2024 at 5:34 PM ^
I went to Houston by myself. I told the Michigan fans behind me that we'd never see each other again but I'd never forget them - then I hugged each one of them with both arms. Being by myself, I shed a tear (or two) but internalized most of my overwhelming emotions that evening. Today while driving, all the joy, anguish, letdown, hope and everything else that Brian, Seth et al. shared on the pod came pouring out. In that teary moment, I realized just how much I appreciate and am grateful for this space.
Thank you, Brian. Thank you, Seth. Thank you, Jim. Thank you, TEAM.
January 11th, 2024 at 5:35 PM ^
I was trying to explain to my wife, who's sympathetic but not understanding, on what winning this title meant. I told her essentially, when I was a kid I cared more but I also had a BELIEF that my team would win. As a grown man I don't have that belief, I have plenty of negative expectations. Additionally, college football isn't like the pros, where you expect a team to win a championship in your lifetime and it's noteworthy when a team goes a long time without it (sorry Lions fans). And so in 2018-2020, I thought The Game was going the way of Navy-Notre Dame, or Michigan-Minnesota, or BC-HC. 2021 was so special because I wasn't sure it would ever happen, but it did sorta feel like it may be a one-off. I knew the roster was younger but still. 2022 changed that, especially with everyone running it back for 2023. And then the Stalions stuff came out and I really thought they might derail our one shot.
And then we did it. Like, all of it, but with extra obstacles. When we were listing the programs who've got a real advantage over others in another thread, I mentioned SC and Texas - and someone pointed out to me that M has done as much as them in the last 25 years. I pushed back on SC but he's not wrong - we are THAT PROGRAM. Not just in the Big Ten, but nationally. We took down Bama, in a way even UGA didn't. We may have just witnessed the best Big Ten team ever. This 3 year run has been validated, and there's reason to believe it'll keep rolling.
We went from wondering if we weren't the next Minnesota to wondering - plausibly - if we can hold the throne after knocking out the emperor. So let your emotions out - I love this blog and these podcasters and they, along with the team, make it great to be a Michigan Wolverine.
January 11th, 2024 at 5:36 PM ^
I know Seth called it self indulgent. I’m glad they did. A lot of why we’re here is because this feels like a community. They are our elected officials. We choose them, and this place they’ve cultivated. I wish I’d have created an account a long time ago to let them know how much I appreciate what they’ve done for us. Self indulge all you want boys, we finally did it.
January 12th, 2024 at 2:39 PM ^
I am so grateful for this site. Thanks, Brian, Seth, Alex, Dave, and all you hooligans who make this community so meaningful. Being here is just another reminder that it's great to be a Michigan Wolverine, always - even on those rare occasions when it sucks to be a Michigan Wolverine.
January 12th, 2024 at 6:05 PM ^
Finally got around to the podcast— I've been saving it as a kind of after-dinner mint— and I’m so glad I did. This site has completely changed my experience of Michigan football, which was already amped up but lacked understanding of what was happening under the hood. And I need to understand what’s under the hood. It’s why I went for a fancy postgrad science degree.
I lurked for two years, 2008 to 2010, before making an account and avatar because I had a personal rule: I don’t comment on internet discussion boards. I’m snobby like that. But this community was just too good to pass up on. It remains, 13 years after that, the only record the interwebs have of my random-ass comments on football, news events, and beyond.
Thanks Brian. Thanks Seth. Thanks Alex. But mostly thanks Brian, from 2008, this blog has been my refuge, even if just to share the ennui. Validation and explanation. It’s made a real difference in my life.