Hail to the Victors
This season is not for the faint of heart, but this season is not over. This one is for you if you are going to have food on the grill and beer in hand at 11:59 on Saturday to watch the Maize and Blue touch that banner. Because the University of Michigan is taking the field, and "The Victors" is being played by the real best damn band in the land. Because there is a game to play, and because there is NO GAME more important than the one they are going down the tunnel to play on that day.
This one is for John O'Korn, who is learning and giving literally everything he can to give this team a shot to win, and who stood on the sideline for over two years at attention for the split second he was called upon to win a game, without notice, and win that game he did. Because we talk about pressure, and we have no idea what pressure is.
This one is for Rashan Gary, who said no thanks to that bag man, and took his talents to play football for one of the best Universities and football programs in the world. This one is for Maurice Hurst, who stayed, because he knew he would never play for a Team again. He will play for a contract, he will play for this, he will play for that. But right now he is playing for The Team, and when this season is over, you know and he knows that it is going to be Michigan again, Michigan.
This one is for those that know that if this is TL;DR for you than you should not be reading it anyway. Because this train makes a stop at every turn and if you want off this bandwagon just pay the troll toll and hop off. Because the Michigan difference is real, and this one is for those who aren't saying fire this guy and fire that guy, because this is Michigan, for God's sake.
This one is for Levert Hill, Tyree Kinnel, David Long, and Josh Metellus, who's finger tips came up an inch short on Saturday. Because the inches they need are everwhere around them, and they were clawing with their fingernails for that inch. Because those who stay will see them get that inch.
This one is for those who watched Saquan Barkley run for a 70 yard touchdown in the first minute of that game on Saturday, and said to themselves VERY seriously, "wow, those maize pants are really smooth now that I see them again."
This one is for "Hellooo Heisman." This one is for "Shoelaces flapping in the wind." This one is for those who wonder "do I like Michigan because of the way I am, or am I the way I am because I like Michigan?"
Hail to the Victors. Beat Rutgers. Hold on to that jug. Take Madison by storm. Beat Ohio.
Go Blue.
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:26 AM ^
maize pants reference. Good to see them back.
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^
They lost, you might not see maize pants in practice.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^
Should ding you for not knowing the name of our fightsong. It's The Victors.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:58 AM ^
I negged myself on your behalf.
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:39 AM ^
One shot for every DWLS violation that LJ Scott gets.
Not for the faint of heart. Also, not for the faint of liver.
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:30 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^
Why do we need warm fuzzies today? I didn't watch the game Saturday (nor see the outcome) and haven't been on the board since Saturday afternoon. Did something bad happen to cause people to freak out or something???
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:33 AM ^
POS BANG??? I DON'T CARE, GIVE ME MOOOOORE! BEAT RUTGERS AND DRINK BEER AT 10:53 AM BEFORE A NOON GAME!! I seriously love Michigan Football. I can't wait for this game. I love noon games. Here is a sad thought. We only have 4 more games left for the year. Holy Shit this year flew by! I for one, am going to enjoy, hopfully, us beating the lower tier big ten teams and putting up a fight against Wisconsin and OSU! I am sad the season is almost over :(
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:36 AM ^
and a bowl game. So, really only half the season has been played. But you're right it always seems to go fast once it starts.
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:48 AM ^
Your life must be great, man.
No need to try to look for posiitives or, you know... have fun.
By all means keep complaining and bitching and whining away your life.
No skin off my sack.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:06 AM ^
No skin off your sack becaue IT'S MADE OF STEEL RIGHT!?!?
Dylan needs to STEEL HIS SACK!!
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:35 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:36 AM ^
Downtrodden mode today because Monday.
Season's over, sorry. Goals are off the table. The little amount of passion I'll have watching this team will resurface when they play OSU. Until then, it's watching just to see certain players and hoping Peters gets time. There's nothing else that can be gained from this season other than that.
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:55 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:00 AM ^
I'll probably have the radio broadcast on, but getting up early and waiting for gameday, that part of the season is over.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^
Goodbye!
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^
Hard not to vent/complain though. However, the kids are our kids. I want them to do well. I'll be screaming on Saturday per usual. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Go blue. Nice post ijohn.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:08 AM ^
This one is for those who watched Saquan Barkley run for a 70 yard touchdown in the first minute of that game on Saturday, and said to themselves VERY seriously, "wow, those maize pants are really smooth now that I see them again."
I liked the maize pants, but admittedly I was part of the crowd that noticed Barkley lining up to take the snap and wondered if perhaps that wasn't sending some red flags regarding alignment on defense. I only had to wonder for a moment though, a terrible moment at that.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:19 AM ^
worst play of the game was the 3rd and 3 moon ball they converted before their touchdown at the end of the first half. We had weathered that early storm, almost miraculously. I think it would have been a much different game if that is a FG and not a TD.
You're right, that direct snap burned us to a crisp but it is not something they had really shown extensively before, at all. Sometimes there is just a great play call, and that was one of them. I think McCray was closer to making a play than even he thought if he just shoots that and gets a hand on him. It would have gone for something, probably a chunk, but probably not to the house.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:46 AM ^
I dunno, man... The moment he cleared the LoS, there was nobody else in sight. He took that snap and excelerated with no hesitation. I saw Gary almost get pulled onto his face trying to react, but it wouldn't have mattered - no way Gary was going to touch him...
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:54 AM ^
not. I agree, they were froze. He did hint right just a bit before he came back left though. There was not much of a play to be made, agreed, but it looked to me that two players could have gotten enough of a hand on him to stop his momentum to allow Bush time to reverse field and make a play. I don't think those players particularly knew he had the ball at that second though, so.... yeah, that sucked.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:10 AM ^
It's always great to be a Michigan Wolverine! I have never wished that I went to any other school, and Jim Harbaugh and his staff and players make me proud every Saturday, win or lose.
Go Blue!
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:17 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
It would be pretty awesome to beat Wisconsin and Maryland and have a very close game against OSU, if not beat them. 10-3 is still very possible. A bowl win too would be great. I think we can do it! I alos think Penn State can beat Ohio State too. They are the real deal this year. They just shredded one of the best defenses in college football.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:32 AM ^
AS much as we were torched against PSU, the defense was made to stop OSU. We held them to 3 freaking points last year in Columbus. No reason we can't do something similar this year at home.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:49 AM ^
Well, Sophomores... But yeah, Barrett can't throw like McSorely just did. Nor does he have anything resembling a Barkley or Desean Whatshisname to throw it at. It'll be a much better defensive performance against OSU.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:53 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 3:36 PM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:20 AM ^
After 2014 Minnesota and walking home in the pouring rain after 2014 Utah, I can never reach that level of agony again. It's not that bad right now. It will be okay.
Forever, Go Blue
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^
I walked back to the bars in Ann Arbor in the pouring rain after Utah 2014 with my wife, a Notre Dame fan. I had cleaned my brand new Nike sneakers up with some soap the night before. While walking in the pouring rain, my shoes were foaming up from the soap and people were laughing their asses of at me because I was leaving soap trails everywhere I went. Holy shit that was a terrible day. Haha, but being drunk with fellow Michigan fans in Ann Arbor was a blast even though we lost.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
I don't mind this but man, everyone around here has lost their damn minds. We lose a few games with a backup QBcagainst tough opponents and it turns into a full-fledged identity crisis. This season wasn't going to be a title year and if Michigan doesn't go to a prestigious bowl then so be it. But they can still get their shit together and ruin some seasons and set a good foundation to make a run next year.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^
doing quite the opposite of losing my damn mind. I am pumped for the next six wins for Michigan football.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^
Is playing Jok "Set a good foundation to make a run next year". I would say no it is not and yet that is what we will be seeing from here on out. I doubt Peters gets any play at all and that would be a massive mistake and a sign that our beloved coach is EXTREMELY Stubborn.
October 23rd, 2017 at 12:00 PM ^
True.
But if there's a reason Peters isn't playing, other than talent, I'm probably okay with him not playing. The rumors - RUMORS - say he doesn't do 'things' the way Harbaugh wants them done. What are 'things'? I dunno, but I've read here they are things like not popping up and hustling back to the huddle; instead walking back. Things like not taking charge and getting the O ready for the next play; instead letting them laze around before calling the play. Things like not taking film study seriously enough. There's also issues with the playbook that have been mentioned - though one would hope, by now, he'd have enough to play with.
I don't know if any of these are true, it's just stuff I've read on this blog from peeps who seem to have some level of access.
If they are true, I'm okay with Harbaugh, essentially, telling him to F-off until he gets his shit together. The last thing I want is an entitled, or lazy, player that is supposed to be a leader.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:32 AM ^
Thanks for taking the time to post this. Following a sports team is not always sunshine and rainbows. Great leaders are formed during these times. The team is young and its times like this when the true leader emerge.
Go Blue and beat Rutgers!
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:36 AM ^
This one is for you if you are going to have food on the grill and beer in hand at 11:59 on Saturday to watch the Maize and Blue touch that banner.And if you're going to be at the stadium?
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:42 AM ^
bottled water in hand and flask in your sock?
October 23rd, 2017 at 7:52 PM ^
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:47 AM ^
So it's not for me? That just makes me sad.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:56 AM ^
defeating Rutgers... I worry ever time people make claims that a team will be a complete push-over...
..really have yet to see a complete game, total domination type performance from this squad this year and doubt we will see one this Saturday.
i will settle for the W..
Mich. 30
Rutgers 13
October 23rd, 2017 at 12:20 PM ^
...you can remember the '84 season. MIchigan beat #1 Miami Hurricanes in Ann Arbor to start the season, and it was going to be a great year (although we did lose in week 2 to Washington). Then Harbaugh got hurt for the season agasint MSU. Chris Zurbrugg (sp?) was his backup and we ended up losing to Purdue and Iowa and Ohio State and also to undefeated BYU in the Holiday Bowl and went 6-6.
Anyway, you lose a key player or two, and everything can go sideways, and there's not a lot you can do about it.
Michigan is still very well coached and we may win 9 games this season.