For the last 9 months, I’ve been obsessively reading everything I can find about the football team. I’ve tried to make it to as many events as possible. I’ve done everything I could to figure out what Michigan is going to look like tomorrow.

I have no clue.

The floor for this team is lower than I want to admit and lower than most Michigan fans have ever experienced. One or two injuries in the wrong places and the Wolverines are conference basement dwellers. The ceiling could be as high as second in the conference. I can’t see Michigan winning more than 10 games (11 with the bowl), but I can also easily see 7-8 losses.

This is something Michigan fans don’t deal with. High expectations dashed to bits by poor performance or predictable play calling, sure. But there’s always that knowledge that Michigan will win most of its games and play in a bowl game, that except for maybe one or two games, they are the better team on the field. I don’t feel that safety net this year.

Maybe that’s why I am more excited for this game than any Michigan game since I’ve been a student. Even the Epic Greatest Game Ever of the Week 2006 OSU game, which lived up to it’s billing. That was big for a game. Michigan vs. Utah is a game for a generation. I get to be in the stands at the biggest epoch in 40 years for arguably the greatest program in college football.

It’s a new, uncomfortable yet envigorating feeling. It’s an amazing time to be a Michigan fan.

And for the love of God, wear a maize shirt.

Posted under Coaching

As a four year veteran of the student section, I’ve seen a lot of awesome things in the student section as well as some things I wish I could forget. In order to make the student section as good as possible I’m going to share some tips to emphasize the good and hopefully prevent the bad.

1. Dress Appropriately: First of all, for students, there are no special Maize Out games. Every game is a Maize Out, so wear your football t-shirt or other appropriate yellow garment (the disgusting mustard color from discount sporting goods stores is discouraged, but better than nothing). Also, the first few games of the year will test your endurance in intense heat and sun. I suggest either copious amounts of sun block or a stylish maize hat. If you are a hot girl, maize bathing suits are acceptable. Later in the year, especially with 3:30 starts, the game will begin warm and then get very chilly by the end (think ’04 MSU). Wear layers, always making sure the outer layer is maize.
2. Be in Game Shape: I don’t mean this athletically, but fans do have certain responsibilities and you can’t cheer and scream if you’re passed out standing up. Some people enjoy pre-gaming or tailgating (I’ve been known to), but it’s important to keep it within reason in order to enjoy the game. Remember: by the second half you’re past drunk and entering hang over.
3. Be Prepared: Especially with the early season games, I’ll grab a dollar bill and a hand full of change before I head to the stadium. Usually on Hoover, I’ll stop and buy a water, but I won’t open it. You will always be able to get un-opened water bottles into the stadium. Then, safely in the stands, I replenish my fluids, insert the coins into the water bottle and have a very effective noise maker.
4. You’re with Students: The student section is not part of the family game day atmosphere. It is a teeming mass of 17-24 year olds hopped up on booze, hormones and fanaticism. Four letter words ought not be discouraged unless used in the least creative cheer ever (within the confines of the student section). That being said, mean-spirited slurs directed at opposing players or other fans are not cool.
5. The Others: I’ve been to a few away games, but not in the stands at the schools who hate Michigan the most. It’s fun and usually those fans that travel are really great college football fan who most of us can relate to. That being said, if they are in the student section, jokes made about their intelligence, economic standing, sexual preference, sexual deviancy, facial hair, etc. drawn from widely accepted facts about their university are acceptable within reason. Getting in their faces after Michigan scores or physical attacks are bush league and not acceptable. You can support your team without giving its fans a bad reputation. This also means that outside the student section (and outside the stadium), you should a least be tolerant of other schools’ fans.
6. Comfortable Shoes: The only acceptable times to sit down are before the band takes the field for pre-game, half time (unless the band does something exceptionally awesome) and after the game if you like being trampled. Also, if you hear The Victors, you should be standing, clapping, fist pumping, and singing: no exceptions.
7. Don’t Be That Guy: If you are sitting below row 80 and hear a cow bell and say anything related to the Christopher Walken sketch on SNL lampooning “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult, I hate you. Freshman year it’s acceptable and funny for the first few games. Beyond that, seriously, that sketch was on like 8 years ago. Sure there isn’t a lot of cowbell-centric humor out there, but don’t just retread. Same thing goes for waving your Key-card on 3rd down. Not only is it not funny, it takes all that is bad with “key play” and leaves all the good (the pleasant jingling).
8. Don’t Be That Brah: If you come in past kick-off, don’t expect to sit exactly where your tickets tell you your seats are. Actually, never expect that. Being off by one row or having to sit back towards the endzone slightly more doesn’t matter. You’ll enjoy the game just the same as well as not coming off as dick.
9. Be Loud: Before every play on defense there should be such a raucous cacophony coming from the student section the offense just gives up and the QB punts on first down. Maybe this will never happen, but it is still the goal. Participation in all cheers is somewhere between mandatory and strongly encouraged. Take your breaks on a second down when Michigan has the ball. If you insist on participating in the “key play” nonsense, at least make a reasonable amount of other noise as well.
10. Stay Positive: It makes the game much less fun when you’re bitching about every play on offense that isn’t a first down and every play on defense that isn’t a turnover. Games ebb and flow, stay centered maaaaan… If you really can’t help being negative, start making $1 bets with the person next to you (e.g. “$1 says we’re running a zone stretch left”). Either way you’ll lose.

If you have any suggestions for surviving and thriving in the student section, please leave them in the comments.

Posted under Analysis

Kevin Newsome has decommitted from Michigan as per Scout (info in header). While this doesn’t necessarily mean that Newsome will go elsewhere, it is obviously not a good sign. Luckily for Michigan, even if Newsome does decide to go elsewhere there are two other high caliber guys (Tate Forcier and Eugene Smith) who are still interested and available.

More info later.

Non-Informative Update:
For those of you sad about Newsome, hopefully this helps:

Via Hoover Street Rag (who vias others).

Posted under Recruiting

Talking on the initial Blogpoll ballot. Audio only:

 

 The Initial BlogPoll Ballot [24:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted under Blogcast

Audio only this week. Enjoy!

 

 Recruiting Update [16:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted under Blogcast

I signed up for XBox Live this weekend. This was almost exclusively for the online dynasty feature of NCAA09. I’m looking to get a dynasty started Monday after work (about 5pm EDT). I have two other people already on board, so we only need nine more to max out. If you want to join in and have time to play at least one game most days, e-mail me at panel |at| umich |dot| edu with NCAA09 in the subject line, you gamertag and if you have a conference preference.

If you just want to beat someone who occaisionally blogs about Michigan, my gamer tag is Paul VBlue. Feel free to friend/challenge/whatever people do on Live.

Posted under Misc.

Audio only again this week. Video will return for next week.

Enjoy:

 

 Recruiting Update [17:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted under Blogcast

This edition of NCAA seems to have drawn more hand wringing and fist pumping than any of the previous iterations. I’m not sure if that’s because there is a big split between the hardcore football simulation fans and the casual gamer or that the Internet allows for such a build up and subsequent thrashing. I’m not sure where I fall in that spectrum. The most editing I’ve ever done to the rosters is adding in the names of Michigan players (occasionally updating numbers, hometowns) and basic slider work (I hate when a wide open WR drops a ball). Yet, I usually end up going a least 10 seasons deep in a dynasty, so I think I’m somewhere in the middle.

I got the game at midnight and have played Coop-dynasty, solo-dynasty, legend mode, and a player vs. player game. After those few hours, I have some quick hits:

• The movement and actions seem a lot more engine based rather than animation based.
• The stadiums look pretty amazing and the ambient sounds have improved considerably (and I haven’t even added the custom sounds yet).
• Dynasty recruiting in season is still super tedious, but the quickcall feature makes it much more bearable. (Quick aside: I bought the game and wanted to get right in and play some dynasty games, but had to spend about 25 minutes getting all the preseason stuff in order. I get it, but it’s a drag)
• Playing a game co-op is way more fun than in previous editions. Breaking routes to wholes in the zone and coming back for the jumpball are really fun. So is just levelling someone with an impact block on an option run or toss play.
• Legend mode is basically the same except it’s more difficult to keep that 2.0. I used to be able to do whatever I wanted and keep at least a 3.7 now I’m hovering around 2.6-7 (more realistic?)
• I recommend doing Legend mode as a WR.
• My defense in 08 consisted mainly of OLB blitz to free the DE off the edge. That doesn’t work so well in this game. In fact, nothing really works to get to the QB. I’ve picked up some sacks, but they are usually coverage sacks. Brandon Graham got pancaked multiple times by Toledo…
• The AI for pass defense is a bit weak. If they could split the difference of 08 and 09 I think it would be about perfect. I can usually just throw it up and Matthews will come down with it.
• I recommend Texas Tech if you’re playing against a person. They’re a ton of fun with Harrel throwing to Crabtree. I feel most PvP games in 09 are going to be offense based and I don’t think there is a more fun offense in the game.

I’m looking to start an online dynasty with a few friends this weekend, so I can report back on that later on. Overall I think this game is an improvement over 08. EA is promising two patches (one in 5-10 days the other in 1-2 months) to fix some of the gameplay issues. I’m looking forward to how this game will (finally) come together.

Posted under Misc.

Going through the old WOLV tapes, I finally found the original masters of the Shomari and Sean O’Neill Show. In their 1997-98 season they interviewed Charles Woodson a number of times. This episode includes an interview with the soon to be Heisman Trophy winner at Good Time Charlie’s slightly before the Ohio State Game.

In case you didn’t hear, he ordered the monster order of fries…

Posted under Video

ESPN was in Ann Arbor today to tape a Titletown segment on the city of Ann Arbor. No doubt they’ll focus on the dominant Pioneer swim teams!

I went to the shoot after stopping at Moe’s to buy a maize shirt, to fit in. There was a decent crowd, maybe 75-100 partisans. What made the scene funnier was the fact that as their setting up and the crowd is warming up and doing some cheers, there are orientation groups being led through the diag on tours. Just another day at Michigan…

Unfortunately the anchor for the section wasn’t Dana Jacobsen, but the anchor (Nicole something, I couldn’t really here anything from where I was) seemed cool and talked with crowd and whatnot. Anytime Desmond Howard became visible the crowd immediately exploded. One kid shouted “I was born the year you won the Heisman.” Kids are so young these days.

I’ve seen a few of the Titletown segments and it really looks like a quick and easy thing that could have been done live; this is not the case. We did each take multiple times. The producer would give us hand gestures to tell us when to get loud, to cue the band, to let the cheerleaders when to do what they do. I felt like the mob should at least get a small appearence fee for trying to get into to football saturday roudy mode on a Monday at noon.

A couple times the ESPN crew had to reshoot a section because (get this) the fans were TOO LOUD. This could be the only time Michigan fans outside of Yost have ever been too loud. I will remember this always. When the producer told us to cheer quietly during an interview with Desmond Howard, I thought “Finally! Someone playing to Michigan Fan’s strengths!”

Overall it was an fun experience even though I could care less about yet another mythical title that the WWL seems intent on creating bi-annually. Hopefully the small group of fans did the University proud. The A^2 T^2 segment will air on the 6 o’clock Sportscenter on July 20th

Posted under Misc.