DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Welcome back Michigan

I will be parked on my couch for the Michigan State @ Michigan game this Saturday at 3:30 pm.

Now that Michigan has somehow miraculously risen from the dead, this is by far the biggest regular season non-Ohio State, Big 10 game of the year. I haven't been this excited about a Wolverine game in years.

I’m amazed at this incredible turn around

Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke really drove the Wolverines down.

I’m thrilled to see Michigan back in the mix. The Buckeyes may not be double-digit favorites next month.

Are you out there ThatGuy?

This once again brings up the question of, "Is it talent or coaching?"

I'd say without a doubt it's coaching.

You could break down coaching again and say, Is it Xs and Os or is it attitude?

You don't pitch 3 shut-outs in a row just because you have a slightly better scheme... these guys have bought into whatever Harbaugh is selling...

I believe no matter how you slice your response, it's directly connected to coaching. I believe a great coach has the best schemes for his available talent as well as being a motivator of men. It takes many ingredients to be successful as a HC. I don't believe you can break it down to one particular ingredient.

I don't believe you can either.. and for some coaches, especially college coaches, you can add recruiting to your list of things a coach has to be good at.. or you are a coach/GM in the NFL, player selection.

I just don't know why people try to rank them in order when you need all of them... quality players, playing with passion, for a coach with a good scheme.. remove any one of those and your success will be limited.

And I would be thrilled to see Connor Cook and the Spartans hang 60 on them in the Big House. Screw Michigan.

Brady Hoke & Co. did a wonderful job in recruiting to rebuild a defense RichRod ignored..

He just couldn't coach them.

I'm trying not to get to over excited.

But if we win tomorrow, and Utah keeps making Week 1 look like a really good loss.. then it'll get real interesting, real quick..

From a fan perspective, not a behind the scenes perspective, Harbaugh is the best coach I've ever seen. Everything he touches turns to gold. Everything.

I'm not a big college football guy, and I am going to upset a lot of Ohio State fans here, but I'd be very afraid. Harbaugh is going to own Meyer. Might not happen this year, but I think it's going to happen.

And you also have the added benefit of Harbugh's sideline comedy routine. Bonus!

What exactly in their past performances and resumes leads you to believe that Haurbaugh is going to "own" Urban. Would you like me to pull up Urbans career numbers? He's one of the greatest coaches of all time.

Also, how is he the best coach you've ever seen? Did you completely overlook Pete Carroll?

He also bolted out of Florida the moment it started going downhill, after having one of the worst collection of (really talented) kids since The U.. Because of "Health Reasons"

Which magically cleared up once the OSU job was available..

And Haurbaugh is a egotistical toolbag that can't get along with people and throws tantrums on the sideline like a small child, your point?

Sorry, that was probably a little too bold of a statement from someone who doesn't watch much college football. I have no idea if it will turn out that way.

It just seems no matter where Harbaugh goes he gets maximum effort, production, and results. I'm fascinated by the guy.

He took a 9ers team with a busted first round QB who were lumped in with the dregs of the NFL and turned them around instantly. All of sudden, everyone in that organization was a genius. They had been terrible "drafters" for years and now everyone was saying that they had been great drafters for years. Alex Smith actually looked good.

He just seems to do great everywhere he goes.

It wouldn't surprise me if he gets the better of Meyer over the years. That's a better way to put it.

I understand! I just love the status Haurbaugh has reached amongst Michigan fans. Before he was hired they talked about how he was better than Urban.

This is downright Bizarre!

Michigan is a 7 1/2 point favorite in this game. (this morning's Hartford Courant)

Two weeks ago Michigan State was ranked the #2 team in the country. And the Spartans are undefeated at 6-0.

I have never seen such a perceived change in a team's strength so dramatic before. I would have guessed Michigan State would be favored. I'm so confused, I wouldn't touch this game with that line.

I can't wait to see this game.

Me too!

But, daughter has a league volleyball tourney Saturday. Single elimination, but if they keep winning, I def. won't see the start of the football game.

I am not bashing Harbaugh at all and I think he is a very good coach. But, how can you say anyone is going to "own Meyer?"

Have you checked Urban's record in the Big 10? Have you checked his career winning percentage? Have you checked where is upcoming recruiting classes are ranked?

I already backed off that statement.

I shouldn't have said that.

No big deal.

I think highly of Harbaugh. I can't believe how quickly he has changed his team around. It's amazing.

I also think very highly of Urban. He is a great motivator and recruiter. He really cares about his players.

Two great coaches.

Until you knock us off

TSUN is still our bitch

I feel like Harbaugh will wear out his welcome at some point. He has had some success, but he rubs a lot of people the wrong way. Maybe it will be different since he is transitioning back to college, but I don't foresee him having an extended career at TTUN...

Wow!! Was that a bad call on Bolden. I really didn't think he did any malicious... That was hard to say as an OSU fan...

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH

I'm not here to bash any of the michigan fans that frequent this board because they're all good people and I think they're pretty level headed when it comes otheir team.

With that out of the way...

I have never seen a fan base champion themselves quite like michigan fan this year. I was in Cleveland over the weekend and saw several people (obviously before the game) head to toe walking around in michigan gear, walking as if this group has done something. Seriously, what have you done? Even before Saturday, what, beating Northwestern?

There's this assumption with Michigan fans that they're gonna get OSU this year. I just kinda have to chuckle at that. Not that it can't happen, because that game is usually quite competitive, but to assume so? LOL

As far as the game goes, and the play. THE play... Harbaugh ran the clock all the way down and called a TO. It's the right thing. How do you not go over that with your punter that hey, if you have a bad snap, if you fumble it around, to just fall on it? If he falls on that ball, there's maybe 7 seconds. Maybe MSU can run one little sideline play and try a long field goal, and tha's a huge maybe. Just WOW.

I feel the same you do on everything Sperg

To lose that game in that fashion... ouch.

A couple more notes on the Michigan State @ Michigan game

First, Jabrill Peppers had perhaps the best overall game I’ve ever seen by a college player.

He was everywhere, Defense, offense, even special teams. Especially special teams. It seemed he played every snap. He was all over the field.

I’m surprised he wasn’t the Wolverine marching band Drum Major during half time.

If the NFL draft were today he could very easily be the #1 pick. I think he’s a candidate for the Heisman.

Second, Jim Harbaugh looked like a complete loser. He threw little hissy fits throughout the game. His arrogance and stupidity led directly to the last second loss.

Maybe he could also be the #4 pick and the #7 pick.

TTUN ...

We should not make fun of them. They have improved immensely in one year. They should have won that last game. We still have to play them.

Is that sinking in?

If your offense can settle in finally (aka, give Zeke the ball) then I think you'll be fine..

It should be a great game though.. Hopefully MSU upsets you so theres something on the line, tiebreaker and whatnot..

I'm still happy overall, I guess, I expected/hoped for at least 8-9 wins and a good bowl game.. still will happen, but as it goes, the more you win, the more expectations grow..

I'm confused, wouldn't you need us to beat Sparty for tie breakers?

...Yep.

Pretty sure part of my brain still thinks we won last week..

Even that wouldn't be enough for Michigan. Ohio State would probably win the tie-breaker, with a very small chance that Michigan State could. Michigan's loss against Utah pretty much takes them out of the running based on the 5th tiebreaker: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10...east-osu-msu-um

For Michigan State to advance on that tie-breaker, they would have to be ranked at least two spots higher than Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Poll which seems unlikely based on the current rankings and that in this hypothetical, OSU would have beat MSU.

Of course, all that only applies if OSU beats MSU, UM beats OSU, and all 3 teams win out otherwise. That's a lot of ifs.

Tiebreaker?

There ain't gonna be no tiebreaker.

Not in the Big 10 East.

We as fans can do whatever we want. We have no bearing on the game. Ohio State will be ready for that game. It's well known and probably overstated within both programs that one team being significantly better than the other doesn't mean blowout win. In Tressel and Meyer's complete dominance of Michigan since 2001 (11-2) how many have really been blowouts?

2001 Ohio State 26, Michigan 20
2002 Ohio State 14, Michigan 9
2003 Michigan 35, Ohio State 21
2004 Ohio State 37, Michigan 21
2005 Ohio State 25, Michigan 21
2006 Ohio State 42, Michigan 39
2007 Ohio State 14, Michigan 3
2008 Ohio State 42, Michigan 7
2009 Ohio State 21, Michigan 10
2010 Ohio State 36, Michigan 7
2011 Michigan 40, Ohio State 34
2012 Ohio State 26, Michigan 21
2013 Ohio State 42, Michigan 41
2014 Ohio State 42, Michigan 28

A ton of really close games and a bunch of very competitive ones.

A lot of people will see a 2 score game and say blowout, but even last year's game was close pretty much until the last 5 minutes or so...

(I also get a kick out of people who say Va Tech 'blew out' Ohio State last year, they weren't 'beaten soundly' either. Ohio State had the ball with under a minute left to try and tie the game lol)

True, and as a fan..............I can say whatever the hell I want.

Believe me, I've tried with the Browns. I was screaming at McCown to look as that rusher was coming on Sunday, but he never did, and he gave up the ball.

I believe in college probably more than pros that you can use negativity and doubt from the media as a rallying cry. I'm sure Ohio State did it last year when people wrote them off after Va Tech, and pretty much disrespected them up until they won the whole thing. It's not the main reason they won, but it's a good way to bring everyone together. I know Dustin Fox on 92.3 always tells the story of how Cie Grant got a hold of a flyer a few nights before the national championship that was basically created by the Miami players to celebrate their championship.

Hell, the Patriots are using fake motivation to go out and beat teams!

Theres a video of Bill Belichek reading the details of Philly's Super Bowl parade route to the NE players be for the game..

Ignoring the fact that NE probably also had the same thing ready..