Drew Sharp makes a valid point that I agree with (going to take a shower

[Reality Man]

right now) but still nonetheless valid and why I really have my fingers crossed to win this game against PSU. It validates the entire season under Harbaugh regardless of the close loss or wins.

Who knew Sharpie could actually make a valid point but he still got his shot(s) in for both schools.

Drew Sharp

Penn State 20, Michigan 13: The Wolverines are another “Big Ten good” team. Sure, one could argue that it's one botched punt away from being 9-1. But you also could make the argument that they’re two last-second plays from being 6-4 and playing for a flea-ridden bowl game. Penn State’s coming off a much-needed bye week. And second-year head coach James Franklin knows he needs a win that at least could be perceived as “statement-making” to legitimize himself as the right coach for the Nittany Lions. And quite frankly, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg can’t be as bad as he often has looked this season.

 

[michnittlion]

Michigan's favored for a reason --- they are the better team.

But emotion matters SO much in college football. IMO it matters the most out of any sport.

One caveat with that, though: it's really impossible to get equally excited for each of a team's 12 games. There are ebbs and flows.

The Penn State players should be on an emotional high up for tomorrow: (1) last home game for the seniors, the senior group that felt the sanctions the most. (2) the players' best opportunity to get a "signature win" for their new coach, a coach who may not be a great tactician but does appear to be well-loved by his players. (3) the stadium will be full and loud and it won't be a dead atmosphere.

Michigan, I don't have as good a feel for. The confidence levels I saw vs. BYU and Northwestern, haven't seen those since. But they should be motivated, given they still "virtually" (unless MSU upsets OSU) control their destiny. There are more than a few analogies between the 1969 and 2015 U-M teams, but there's one BIG difference: that 1969 team was absolutely ROLLING for multiple games heading into the OSU game. The 2015 team is winning, but hardly convincingly, with multiple close-shave escapes.

I may be biased, but my pick is a Penn State victory. That "emotional" intangible.

One thing I do agree with you: whereas in August, 8-4 would have been "good enough" for most U-M fans, it would now be a slight disappointment. I think JH knows that too. Gotta get to 9-3, and tomorrow is the best chance for that 9th win.

 

[michigangoblue999]

right now) but still nonetheless valid and why I really have my fingers crossed to win this game against PSU. It validates the entire season under Harbaugh regardless of the close loss or wins.

Who knew Sharpie could actually make a valid point but he still got his shot(s) in for both schools.

Drew Sharp

Penn State 20, Michigan 13: The Wolverines are another “Big Ten good” team. Sure, one could argue that it's one botched punt away from being 9-1. But you also could make the argument that they’re two last-second plays from being 6-4 and playing for a flea-ridden bowl game. Penn State’s coming off a much-needed bye week. And second-year head coach James Franklin knows he needs a win that at least could be perceived as “statement-making” to legitimize himself as the right coach for the Nittany Lions. And quite frankly, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg can’t be as bad as he often has looked this season.

What was the good point, again?

 

[Reality Man]

I have no idea who will win. I don't know who the better team is. Is it PSU who has a good defense against a UM offense that can't run? Or is it UM who has a good defense going up against a PSU offense that can't score?

If you asked me the keys to the game...Peppers and/or trick plays on offense and whichever team plays better ST's.

Wouldn't surprise me if UM won or lost but this to me is a gigantic game. As big as OSU. Why? Because getting to 9 wins against PSU is going to be slightly easier than beating OSU and I'll take whichever one comes first.

YOU are exactly right..most people would have taken 8 wins (my minimum number) and was hoping for 9 wins. Sure I want a win against either of the two big rivals but getting 9 wins would be a huge success and it would overshadow losses against MSU and OSU.

Those two wins against Minny and IU (lets be honest) have really lessened the pain of the MSU loss. A PSU win makes this season a huge success for UM even in the minds of MSU and OSU fans.


RM

 

[tarun262]

Yeah what was the good point? RM I am convinced you are not a Michigan fan or you are just a pure skeptic and looks at everything as half empty. Drew Sharp is an idiot. By his logic, MSU could easily be 6-4 as well where they could have lost to Rutgers, Michigan, & Oregon very easily. Ohio State could have easily lost to IU and got lucky. TCU could have had 2 more losses. Clemson could have lost to Notre Dame and were one play away. His post makes no sense - every team has near hits and near misses. Every single team this year has had close calls that if gone the other way could have changed the landscape of College Football drastically. That's why the game is played. He's dumb! Nebraska could have 8 wins. BYU could have 2 more losses. On and on and on...

 

[michigangoblue999]

I have no idea who will win. I don't know who the better team is. Is it PSU who has a good defense against a UM offense that can't run? Or is it UM who has a good defense going up against a PSU offense that can't score?

If you asked me the keys to the game...Peppers and/or trick plays on offense and whichever team plays better ST's.

Wouldn't surprise me if UM won or lost but this to me is a gigantic game. As big as OSU. Why? Because getting to 9 wins against PSU is going to be slightly easier than beating OSU and I'll take whichever one comes first.

YOU are exactly right..most people would have taken 8 wins (my minimum number) and was hoping for 9 wins. Sure I want a win against either of the two big rivals but getting 9 wins would be a huge success and it would overshadow losses against MSU and OSU.

Those two wins against Minny and IU (lets be honest) have really lessened the pain of the MSU loss. A PSU win makes this season a huge success for UM even in the minds of MSU and OSU fans.


RM

You quoted Sharp saying PSU was going to win by 7 and said he had a good point, and now you don't know who will win. Okay. I think I'm wasting my time here. Actually, I know it.