There's been a few douchey Alabama fans I've run into online (my favorite being the one who claimed "Michigan needs to be humbled," which is rich coming from that fan base).
However, the group of Alabama fans my wife and I sat with yesterday at the Rose Bowl were lovely people to chat and chat football with. And much nicer than the drunk jerka** Michigan fans on the other side of us who kept screaming "WAR DAMN EAGLE" all game and cheered at/insulted the Alabama punter when he was injured.
For anyone seriously interested in barbecuing, I'd highly recommend Amazing Ribs and the companion book, Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. It directly addresses a lot of the myths and misinformation surrounding grilling with a collaboration between a champion pitmaster and a physicist/food science PhD, which includes your comment on salt timing above.
The author also has a knack for explaining complex topics simply, and covers everything from "choosing a grill" to "the chemistry of the maillard reaction" to "building your own bbq rub".
Touching on the front versus reverse sear: front searing doesn't 'push' moisture into the meat, and searing meat doesn't lock in the juices (source; which is from Amazing Ribs, but references multiple experiments done by Alton Brown and others). Not saying either method is wrong, though, and I prefer using the front sear for thinner steaks anyways.
Love when people trot out the Chicago talking point. A majority of the guns used in crimes in Chicago are from nearby states with much more lax gun control. Seems like it does work, more places just need to adopt it.
Every single fucking time this happens, I think of the article the Onion posts every single time this happens, just with the location and date changed:
"No way to prevent this," says only nation where this regularly happens.
I hope everyone goes home to their families tonight and hugs them close, and that there's no more casualties than have already been reported.
This is the way. We only get them for such a short period of time, and - while we wish we had them longer - we should want them to be rewarded with what's best for them.
Thinking of you and your family, Patrick. I'm not sure of your beliefs, but a little cachet that I hope will bring you as much comfort as it's brought me:
Plus, as a grown-ass man who grew up poor, had to financially support my mom over several illnesses, and is currently helping financially support my stepmom and dementia-stricken father: there's not a lot I wouldn't do for a magic "make our financial issues go away" button.
If it's true he's chasing the bag to help his mom, all I can say is: godspeed and go get paid, young man.
Honestly, most weeks Threat Level: Michigan is usually an entertaining read in the same way watching low-budget B horror movies are: overwrought production, spastic flailing, and overacted cheesy dialogue. It's my sports fandom equivalent of junk food.
And, much like junk food, I have to ration my intake after Michigan victories over aOSU given the overwhelming salt content.
I think the 'more talented' narrative holds water if looked at through the lens of recruiting rankings.
Individuals can over- or underperform their recruiting ranking. We see that all the time (see: Graham Mertz at Wisconsin, or Hutchinson last year putting multiple 5* offensive lineman on their ass). A team can also, in aggregate, over- (Michigan) or underperform (Texas A&M) their recruiting rankings.
However, there is truth to the general rule that more talent translates to better football teams. (See: HTTV 2022's breakdown of the blue chip ratio for teams that have won national championships, and how a 50% blue chip ratio was the floor for a NC team). For a more relevant example, look at our game last year versus Georgia: we got multiple RPS wins that were negated by freak athleticism.
I don't think it's wrong to say Michigan has the better team, but Ohio State has better talent. I also don't think it's wrong to say that Michigan needs to narrow that talent gap if we want to keep winning consistently at the elite level. Whether that's due to pairing freak athleticism + coaching, or even just having backups when players are injured, we (just like every other elite team) need that for sustained success.
Posted this in another thread, but I think it's more relevant here:
Thank you for everything you've done for us, Cade. You will always be one of my favorite players for the win against OSU last year, and one moment in particular.
"Cool story, bro" incoming:
2016 was a difficult year. My dad, who is my hero, had his dementia go from "moderate" to "severe". I developed an anxiety disorder that made my life a constant, waking hell for several months until I managed to learn and develop coping and deescalation mechanisms. And a lot of other stuff. Then, The Game happened that year and - after coming so close and losing, in no small part due to biased officiating - it just felt like a lot of things went off the rails.
It felt like Michigan football was a microcosm of my life for the next five years. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop (and it did), positive optimism being stomped into the dirt (a la The Game 2018), coming close but not doing it (2017). It didn't affect my day-to-day life but the parallels were there.
2021 was a seismic shift in a lot of ways. Haskins, to quote Seth, pulled me out of the BPONE. But the biggest moment of the game to me - the moment that made me know we were going to win - was that brief clip of Cade screaming, "COME ON! LET'S GO!!!!!" when we were preparing to go for it. The passion and fire he showed in that moment was what tempered me and made me believe, "We will do this."
So thank you, Cade. I wish you'd gotten more from us, and I wish you nothing but the best wherever you go.
Recent Comments
Today is my actual birthday.
Doesn't matter when I get it, this was an amazing birthday surprise and I cannot wait.
Use the day as an excuse to cook us a nice meal:
Grilled lamb lollipops, potato roses, and bacon peas.
There's been a few douchey Alabama fans I've run into online (my favorite being the one who claimed "Michigan needs to be humbled," which is rich coming from that fan base).
However, the group of Alabama fans my wife and I sat with yesterday at the Rose Bowl were lovely people to chat and chat football with. And much nicer than the drunk jerka** Michigan fans on the other side of us who kept screaming "WAR DAMN EAGLE" all game and cheered at/insulted the Alabama punter when he was injured.
Fingers crossed they'll be at this one, too, since I'll be there!
Kenneth Grant, the turbochicken
It's a well deserved honor, and I feel honored and privileged that she was my "grand-PI" (my grad school PI's PI).
2…
1. That is ridiculous.
2. Hell yes to Donovan Edwards repping the Big Meechie shirt.
Nice little teaser from Mr. Oden as well here:
For anyone seriously interested in barbecuing, I'd highly recommend Amazing Ribs and the companion book, Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. It directly addresses a lot of the myths and misinformation surrounding grilling with a collaboration between a champion pitmaster and a physicist/food science PhD, which includes your comment on salt timing above.
The author also has a knack for explaining complex topics simply, and covers everything from "choosing a grill" to "the chemistry of the maillard reaction" to "building your own bbq rub".
Touching on the front versus reverse sear: front searing doesn't 'push' moisture into the meat, and searing meat doesn't lock in the juices (source; which is from Amazing Ribs, but references multiple experiments done by Alton Brown and others). Not saying either method is wrong, though, and I prefer using the front sear for thinner steaks anyways.
Love when people trot out the Chicago talking point. A majority of the guns used in crimes in Chicago are from nearby states with much more lax gun control. Seems like it does work, more places just need to adopt it.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2017/10/05/555580598/fact-check-is-chicago-proof-th…
Every single fucking time this happens, I think of the article the Onion posts every single time this happens, just with the location and date changed:
"No way to prevent this," says only nation where this regularly happens.
I hope everyone goes home to their families tonight and hugs them close, and that there's no more casualties than have already been reported.
Michigan brothers and sisters, let's kick OSU's ass again - except this time let's make the scoreboard donations from Michigan fans vs OSU fans.
Fuck cancer and let's help this young man.
Done, re: e-mailing Warde and Harbaugh. Unfortunately I'm no longer local, otherwise I'd be happy to stop in the MDen and reach out.
Nothing else to say: he was a young kid with his whole life in front of him and it was tragically cut far too short.
RIP, Meechie. You are, and always will be, part of Michigan.
This is the way. We only get them for such a short period of time, and - while we wish we had them longer - we should want them to be rewarded with what's best for them.
Go Schoon, and go blue!
Back to back champions. 13-0 season.
IT'S GREAT!
Thinking of you and your family, Patrick. I'm not sure of your beliefs, but a little cachet that I hope will bring you as much comfort as it's brought me:
We'll meet again where warm winds blow
dancing through a golden field
in a place where tears may never flow
and the wounds of life are healed
So, dumb question, but I've been curious for months: what does "POSBang" stand for?
I'm not familiar with him; what is he reporting?
Excellent piece, Andy, and I didn't expect to start my Wednesday with this many feels.
Always and forever: GO BLUE.
Plus, as a…
100% agreed.
Plus, as a grown-ass man who grew up poor, had to financially support my mom over several illnesses, and is currently helping financially support my stepmom and dementia-stricken father: there's not a lot I wouldn't do for a magic "make our financial issues go away" button.
If it's true he's chasing the bag to help his mom, all I can say is: godspeed and go get paid, young man.
You'd be correct, thank you!
Congratulations and you deserve it, coach!
"It's going to be a clear, sunny day with little wind. Let's make JJ beat us over the top in perfect passing conditions."
"BRILLIANT!"
Honestly, most weeks Threat Level: Michigan is usually an entertaining read in the same way watching low-budget B horror movies are: overwrought production, spastic flailing, and overacted cheesy dialogue. It's my sports fandom equivalent of junk food.
And, much like junk food, I have to ration my intake after Michigan victories over aOSU given the overwhelming salt content.
I think the 'more talented' narrative holds water if looked at through the lens of recruiting rankings.
Individuals can over- or underperform their recruiting ranking. We see that all the time (see: Graham Mertz at Wisconsin, or Hutchinson last year putting multiple 5* offensive lineman on their ass). A team can also, in aggregate, over- (Michigan) or underperform (Texas A&M) their recruiting rankings.
However, there is truth to the general rule that more talent translates to better football teams. (See: HTTV 2022's breakdown of the blue chip ratio for teams that have won national championships, and how a 50% blue chip ratio was the floor for a NC team). For a more relevant example, look at our game last year versus Georgia: we got multiple RPS wins that were negated by freak athleticism.
I don't think it's wrong to say Michigan has the better team, but Ohio State has better talent. I also don't think it's wrong to say that Michigan needs to narrow that talent gap if we want to keep winning consistently at the elite level. Whether that's due to pairing freak athleticism + coaching, or even just having backups when players are injured, we (just like every other elite team) need that for sustained success.
Posted this in another thread, but I think it's more relevant here:
Thank you for everything you've done for us, Cade. You will always be one of my favorite players for the win against OSU last year, and one moment in particular.
"Cool story, bro" incoming:
2016 was a difficult year. My dad, who is my hero, had his dementia go from "moderate" to "severe". I developed an anxiety disorder that made my life a constant, waking hell for several months until I managed to learn and develop coping and deescalation mechanisms. And a lot of other stuff. Then, The Game happened that year and - after coming so close and losing, in no small part due to biased officiating - it just felt like a lot of things went off the rails.
It felt like Michigan football was a microcosm of my life for the next five years. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop (and it did), positive optimism being stomped into the dirt (a la The Game 2018), coming close but not doing it (2017). It didn't affect my day-to-day life but the parallels were there.
2021 was a seismic shift in a lot of ways. Haskins, to quote Seth, pulled me out of the BPONE. But the biggest moment of the game to me - the moment that made me know we were going to win - was that brief clip of Cade screaming, "COME ON! LET'S GO!!!!!" when we were preparing to go for it. The passion and fire he showed in that moment was what tempered me and made me believe, "We will do this."
So thank you, Cade. I wish you'd gotten more from us, and I wish you nothing but the best wherever you go.