Michigan Monday: The Love Hate of this Week

I used to love this week, it was an exciting week where you knew the game on Saturday would be a great match-up that could go either way.  Both teams would be nervous and both teams would be playing their hearts out.  


I hate this week now.  Mostly after what happened on Saturday.   That hit on Peters probably cost the Wolverines the game in Madison but made the climb on Saturday way to steep. 


Folks that live in Ohio have a huge blind spot for this game.  They treat it with an intensity that could be borderline insanity or even religious fervor.   A Buckeye loss in this game is not acceptable on any level.    The last 10 years of Michigan football has made that goal much easier then it should be. 


When Urban Meyer laid down on the sideline after winning in OT last year, that was a pure relief reaction.  He knows what losing to Michigan in Ohio means.   He didn't react that way for winning a Big Ten Championship or even a National Championship.   


I hate this week.


I'm a huge fan of Jimmy as he is a 100% better then the two guys that were hired after Carr retired.  He has a great pedigree of playing QB at Michigan, QB in the NFL, rebuilding NFL/college programs, and even coached in a Super Bowl.   I love how he lives to coach football and gives a 100% every day to Michigan's program.    I loved how the first two years that he showed passion on the sideline, was yelling at the officials, throwing his hat, etc.


Something has changed this year and he even said, he was dead inside and was nothing but burned wood.   He doesn't get nervous has he has been through a 1000 games and seen pretty much everything.   There is something good and bad about that.  I feel a team is a reflection of it's coach.   It's good to be up for Maryland but bad when you have a similar excitement level for playing MSU or Wisconsin.   I believe this comes from Jimmy's NFL experience where there is a big game every weekend and not really any rivalry games.   Loses happen in the NFL and you just move on.    It's a little different in the college and mostly with strong rivalry games. 


I know Jimmy understands Michigan's rivalries and I'm not trying to make a case he doesn't.  I'm just wondering if there is something missing?  I know one thing that is missing, which is a healthy Michigan QB. (from mgoblog user)


2007 - Mallet for a injured Henne
2008- Sheridan
2009 - Forcier
2010 - Forcier for a injured Denard
2011 - Denard
2012 - WR Gardner for injured Denard
2013 - Gardner breaks foot in game
2014 - Gardner
2015 - Rudock knocked out of game with existing shoulder injury
2016 - Injured Speight played
2017 - Speight and Peters injured


In 10 years, Michigan has had 4 non-injured QB's play and one was Nick Sheridan  (sorry Nick!).  I'm pretty sure this is JT Barrett's 10th start against Michigan in this series.   The year he gets hurt in the Michigan game, OSU wins the National Championship. 


I hate this week.


I wish I had the answers: Is it bad luck?  Is it bad coaching?  Is it a lack of talent?  Is it a trend that just can't be broken?  Does Michigan players care too much - too little? 


This week is setting up just like the majority of the OSU weeks in the last 10 years.   That same feeling is in my stomach, probably like the same feeling you have.  


I hate this week.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/11/michigan-monday-love-hate-of-this-week.html