Alex, I have enjoyed your contributions since you joined MGoBlog. Thank you so much for all of your insight, reporting, and fantastic writing. I hope you got to enjoy every step of the way.
Thank you for sharing. My brother and I have a 16 year difference (me being the elder), and we struggle sometimes to bridge the gap in between. It's work, but we still find common ground (even just today I found out that we both like "The Middle"). Large hugs out to you from Houston.
I've been disappointed for a long time in how the rivalries have changed, and this is another example of it. We can't just joke around with our friends that went to MSU or Wisconsin; we can't just dislike OSU. It has to be nasty and mean now, and it greatly disappoints me. I try to stay removed from it, but people also like to poke. We all need to learn to stop and think again, instead of just reacting.
Speaking of weird TV coverage, has anybody else noticed that FOX is using stupid cartoon-like graphics? Like, for False Start, Flag, just about anything? I feel like I'm watching a Bugs Bunny cartoon.
BisB, you make every Thursday morning the best - great job!!
Was listening to "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" required listening for ALL kids growing up in the 70s? I seem to remember hearing it all the time...
Awesome start to Thursday as usual, BisB - thanks!!!
And....thank you for pointing out the D'antoni Hate Machine. I have hated that man for ruining a perfectly good rivalry for years. Not just because they got good - I can respect that. But he turned a friendly, healthy rivalry into pure hate - pure, unwarranted hate. I hope he gets swallowed by his own machine.
Every time I see Opponent Watch, I want to sip it like a fine wine, and always wind up guzzling it down like a female coed drinking the first Bartles & Jaymes wine cooler on a Saturday night.
A wonderful morning surprise with my coffee - thank you! Great job as always, BisB!
Hawaii playing Colorado State sounds like it will set off a time-football vortex that will pull in everything within a 50-mile radius into its football suck. Can I hope that it will pull in the awful ad agency that does the stupid Dr. Pepper commercials? It's probably too much to ask....
On a side note, I feel bad for those players. The players left at Hawaii are trying, man. Hopefully someday they will be rewarded.
Great piece, Seth - thanks. I always felt like Coach Moeller didn't get the respect he deserved. The ending to his coaching at U-M was a complete misrepresentation of the rest of his career. I've always had a fondness for his years at head coach in my heart. And always will.
I agree with everyone else! Great pictures, great story! I got all misty all over again, reading your story about the UM-OSU game. Congratulations and Go Blue!
I cried. When we officially won, I cried. Out of sheer joy, relief - you name it. One of the craziest moments ever. Ever since, I have not stopped smiling, or asking my husband "hey - guess who won on Saturday?"
I would be astonished if Paul Finebaum ever created an opinion of his own, instead of gratingly parroting the easy commentary of the day. He’s a bow tie-wearing talking head.
Agreed! It also helps to confirm what I already kind of thought, but wasn't quite sure of. Like, McNamara is a good quarterback and game manager (probably better than we tend to give him credit for), but we're definitely not ready to put McCarthy in yet. The explanations in here are great!!
I'm sorry, I take exception to these two statements in particular:
"The Michigan way of life is drawing power from its cold, misting, piss of a climate.;"
and
"Michigan graduates are condescending, they want to mention what car they drive and allude to how much money they make."
First, every state and region has it's plusses and minuses. I find it rather insulting to say it is a "piss of a climate."
Second, to lump ALL Michigan grads in together as being condescending, and wanting to mention what car we drive is lazy. Sure, there are grads out there like that. There are grads like that from just about EVERY school. There are also plenty of down-to-earth NOT braggy or condescending Michigan grads out there. You did a lot of research into the background of the area and the schools - why not interview other graduates from Michigan instead of relying on a few bad encounters?
I'm convinced that the Ford Family won't let the Detroit Lions win too much because they need the tax write-off somehow. They must have some serious financial problems this year.....
It's nice hearing Brian being ever-so-cautiously optimistic. I get it. Isn't this also the Homecoming Game? Don't we get some Homecoming juju for that?
Are we supposed to refer to Michigan State as The Michigan State Spartans brought to you by Rocket Mortgage? Or is that only for basketball? There have been a disproportionate number of Rocket Mortgage commercials this football season where Sparty is featured. Just sayin'.
Well done as always - thanks for the birthday treat!!
I like reading this take, this perception of things. It is so hard to figure out emotion from logic in all of this that I like getting a different perspective. I look forward to more.
Great piece - thanks!!!
Good luck, Brian. I had a feeling something was going on - sorry to hear that it went so deep. We will all be here, regardless of how and where you land.
Recent Comments
That was great - thank you so much. So many feelings that I also experienced were in there.
Go Blue, Brian. Go Blue!!!!
Alex, I have enjoyed your contributions since you joined MGoBlog. Thank you so much for all of your insight, reporting, and fantastic writing. I hope you got to enjoy every step of the way.
Go Blue!!!
Thank you for sharing. My brother and I have a 16 year difference (me being the elder), and we struggle sometimes to bridge the gap in between. It's work, but we still find common ground (even just today I found out that we both like "The Middle"). Large hugs out to you from Houston.
Looking…
Howdy and Go Blue!
Looking for 2 - 3 tickets to attend the Natty. Live 45 minutes away and desperately hoping someone has something!!
[email protected]
So eloquently and perfectly said - thank you.
I've been disappointed for a long time in how the rivalries have changed, and this is another example of it. We can't just joke around with our friends that went to MSU or Wisconsin; we can't just dislike OSU. It has to be nasty and mean now, and it greatly disappoints me. I try to stay removed from it, but people also like to poke. We all need to learn to stop and think again, instead of just reacting.
Speaking of weird TV coverage, has anybody else noticed that FOX is using stupid cartoon-like graphics? Like, for False Start, Flag, just about anything? I feel like I'm watching a Bugs Bunny cartoon.
BisB! We have missed you so! I wasn't expecting this for at LEAST another week! This was MUCH better than the flow chart I was going to work on.
Now I have to figure out how to work some of these references into conference calls.....
Welcome Back!!
Happiness is Opponent Watch on Thursdays. EXTREME Happiness is Opponent Watch gleefully dancing on OSU's grave. Loved every minute - thanks, BisB!!
Thanks for all your perspectives and pieces this season, Alex! I always appreciate it. Go blue! Beat Ohio!
BisB, thank you so much for a wonderful season!! Hopefully we will all meet again soon. Happy Thanksgiving!!
BisB, you make every Thursday morning the best - great job!!
Was listening to "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" required listening for ALL kids growing up in the 70s? I seem to remember hearing it all the time...
And now y'all know basically how old I am.
Awesome start to Thursday as usual, BisB - thanks!!!
And....thank you for pointing out the D'antoni Hate Machine. I have hated that man for ruining a perfectly good rivalry for years. Not just because they got good - I can respect that. But he turned a friendly, healthy rivalry into pure hate - pure, unwarranted hate. I hope he gets swallowed by his own machine.
Great job, Kelsey! I appreciate the female perspective. :-)
Every time I see Opponent Watch, I want to sip it like a fine wine, and always wind up guzzling it down like a female coed drinking the first Bartles & Jaymes wine cooler on a Saturday night.
A wonderful morning surprise with my coffee - thank you! Great job as always, BisB!
Hawaii playing Colorado State sounds like it will set off a time-football vortex that will pull in everything within a 50-mile radius into its football suck. Can I hope that it will pull in the awful ad agency that does the stupid Dr. Pepper commercials? It's probably too much to ask....
On a side note, I feel bad for those players. The players left at Hawaii are trying, man. Hopefully someday they will be rewarded.
We can always write to Uri Geller and see if he can help...he owns a soccer team now that he helps out.
Fantastic!! Thank you, gentlemen.
So……who’s the Three-Eyed Raven?!?!
Sooooo perfect! Thank you! As I read I should be prepping for my call with my boss...yeah, I'll wing it.
This team is as frightening as a cantaloupe. Fear level = melon.
My excitement level = Exponential to receiving our wine shipment from the wine club. You know it's coming, but you're still overjoyed when it arrives.
Welcome back! Sooooooo excited!!!
Great piece, Seth - thanks. I always felt like Coach Moeller didn't get the respect he deserved. The ending to his coaching at U-M was a complete misrepresentation of the rest of his career. I've always had a fondness for his years at head coach in my heart. And always will.
Rest In Peace, Coach Moeller.
We all need to spam Bill Connelly at ESPN for not including the UM-OSU game as one of the Top 100 games of 2021. I mean, REALLY???????
I agree with everyone else! Great pictures, great story! I got all misty all over again, reading your story about the UM-OSU game. Congratulations and Go Blue!
Agreed on that shot reflected in the trombone bell - that is extraordinary. Great job!
My level of happiness increased dramatically when I saw this yesterday. Thank you so much for the Bonus Edition!!!!
Do we get another …
Wait……
Do we get another “Opponent Watch” now?!?!
I cried. When we officially won, I cried. Out of sheer joy, relief - you name it. One of the craziest moments ever. Ever since, I have not stopped smiling, or asking my husband "hey - guess who won on Saturday?"
Hail! And Go Blue!
Brilliant column as always! Thanks for a great season - this column is always the highlight of my football season Thursdays.
My entire day is now better because of this - thank you!!!
I would be astonished if Paul Finebaum ever created an opinion of his own, instead of gratingly parroting the easy commentary of the day. He’s a bow tie-wearing talking head.
Agreed! It also helps to confirm what I already kind of thought, but wasn't quite sure of. Like, McNamara is a good quarterback and game manager (probably better than we tend to give him credit for), but we're definitely not ready to put McCarthy in yet. The explanations in here are great!!
"Recap: Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Nebraska had a second half lead but made a bunch of boneheaded mistakes and lost by a single score. "
Gold! Pure gold, Jerry!
Awesome as always - great start to the weekend!
But…
Of course. Duh.
But seriously.....Michigan has awesome summers and beautiful early falls.
I'm sorry, I take exception to these two statements in particular:
"The Michigan way of life is drawing power from its cold, misting, piss of a climate.;"
and
"Michigan graduates are condescending, they want to mention what car they drive and allude to how much money they make."
First, every state and region has it's plusses and minuses. I find it rather insulting to say it is a "piss of a climate."
Second, to lump ALL Michigan grads in together as being condescending, and wanting to mention what car we drive is lazy. Sure, there are grads out there like that. There are grads like that from just about EVERY school. There are also plenty of down-to-earth NOT braggy or condescending Michigan grads out there. You did a lot of research into the background of the area and the schools - why not interview other graduates from Michigan instead of relying on a few bad encounters?
By the way, I drive a Mercedes.
Always the best column! Thanks, BisB, and glad you are back. Sorry you had some tough times last week.
My brother and sister-in-law went to MSU and I'm tired of them being rather insufferable. We could really use a solid win there.
I'm convinced that the Ford Family won't let the Detroit Lions win too much because they need the tax write-off somehow. They must have some serious financial problems this year.....
I felt my arteries harden as I read this.....
This is a great article - thanks so much! I love how you summarized the previous climate and the progress to date.
Perfect for Scott Frost Day????
I laughed out loud at "it's pumpkin spiced turnover season." Did they get some free yoga pants with that????
Still the highlight of my football week! Thanks, BisB!!!
"The only things those offenses have in common with this team is the uniforms and the head coach."
Yes. Perfectly said. Thank you, Stephen King, vis-a-vis Brian.
It's nice hearing Brian being ever-so-cautiously optimistic. I get it. Isn't this also the Homecoming Game? Don't we get some Homecoming juju for that?
Are we supposed to refer to Michigan State as The Michigan State Spartans brought to you by Rocket Mortgage? Or is that only for basketball? There have been a disproportionate number of Rocket Mortgage commercials this football season where Sparty is featured. Just sayin'.
Well done as always - thanks for the birthday treat!!
Yes! I was thinking "Rutgerian" as well.
I like reading this take, this perception of things. It is so hard to figure out emotion from logic in all of this that I like getting a different perspective. I look forward to more.
Great piece - thanks!!!
"Loss will cause me to ... google "Jim Harbaugh buyout" so many times Google starts to think I'm a bot"
Sigh.....yes. I got tired of seeing all of the clips ESPN kept throwing up of the App State loss XX years ago.
However! I look forward to being realistically optimistical. Because I feel like I can make up my own words now.
Good luck, Brian. I had a feeling something was going on - sorry to hear that it went so deep. We will all be here, regardless of how and where you land.
Dare I hope once again????
I cheered so loudly when I saw Opponent Watch that I think my husband questioned both my sanity and our marriage.....