Want to write this because of Huard thread, one today that said we lost because we did not win by 17 and then Cal's thread that gave me a laugh with his satire. Thanks Cal.
Have thought about this for a while particularly last week. This whole season, including summer and fall practice have read many messages about our team and any opponent we may play. "They don't scare me". Or impress whatever. "We will crush them." They are over rated." We will beat them ...by whatever impressive score comes to that person's mind.
This ignores that it is a sport we are talking about that is a team sport not individual. If individual the results are unpredictable but when it involves many individuals teaming for the good of all then there are so many variables that there is no way to predict with certainty a result. That is why people go broke betting on it.
Not to say I am not irrational when it comes to our team the Wolverines. Last week it was Wednesday until I could get online and read the Rivals site. Wife left me alone till late afternoon Sunday. (I have a great wife) If watching us on television I cannot watch important plays and switch to another game. Then have to watch youtube or streaming to see all the plays. Good for a loud yuk by my sons and friends.
If at the stadium I watch every play until the clock reads 0:00. Always have since I saw my first game in 1953 as an usher and since 1963 my first year as a season ticket holder. My idea was if the players went through all they do to get ready to play and the pain involved in playing I owe them to stay until the end.
I wait for the season and anticipate it with great joy. It does make life more interesting.
What I cannot understand are those on here who seem to set crazy expectations for the team to meet before they are satisfied. Like the statement that we lost yesterday because we did not win by the margin they considered "enough." When watching on tv I like a wide margin because I can relax and watch the game not get too anxious. That anxiety is my fault and weakness not the teams.
I do respect our opponents deeply because they practice and prepare too. Things happen. I mean look at Friday and Saturday. I wonder what the Clemson and the rest of those who actually lost are thinking now. I learned the hard way to respect someone who is going against me be it a sport or real life. Like my first life and death knife fight. When I got my butt handed to me in a military golf tournament by a guy who I was supposedly 8 shots better than. He beat me 6 and 5 even though I was 3 under at the time. He was 8 under at the turn. Or in an open all form tournament when I went against a guy in his first tourney. I did not pay attention and he swept me out of the gate and landed on my breaking two ribs and I had to tap out.
Respect the opponent because not to do so gives them an inestimable advantage. Show them that disrespect and it gives them an inestimable advantage in motivation for preparation. (Wish I could somehow erase the Mike Hart comment and make MD come up with something else.) And as fans celebrate any win. Did MSU fans and team say they lost because they did not win right and they got 5 turnovers. No freakin way. There are no shoulds in the score differential. If we win in Happy Valley I will be happy. When we beat Rutgers I will be happy not matter the score.
Expectations are a source of disappointment and anxiety. Be prepared for anything and then be happy when we win and do whatever you need for solace when we lost. Be celebrate because we have the chance to be fans. And I am prepared for some vomiting all over my words. Others to poo poo them and others to say ???? Go Blue
Have thought about this for a while particularly last week. This whole season, including summer and fall practice have read many messages about our team and any opponent we may play. "They don't scare me". Or impress whatever. "We will crush them." They are over rated." We will beat them ...by whatever impressive score comes to that person's mind.
This ignores that it is a sport we are talking about that is a team sport not individual. If individual the results are unpredictable but when it involves many individuals teaming for the good of all then there are so many variables that there is no way to predict with certainty a result. That is why people go broke betting on it.
Not to say I am not irrational when it comes to our team the Wolverines. Last week it was Wednesday until I could get online and read the Rivals site. Wife left me alone till late afternoon Sunday. (I have a great wife) If watching us on television I cannot watch important plays and switch to another game. Then have to watch youtube or streaming to see all the plays. Good for a loud yuk by my sons and friends.
If at the stadium I watch every play until the clock reads 0:00. Always have since I saw my first game in 1953 as an usher and since 1963 my first year as a season ticket holder. My idea was if the players went through all they do to get ready to play and the pain involved in playing I owe them to stay until the end.
I wait for the season and anticipate it with great joy. It does make life more interesting.
What I cannot understand are those on here who seem to set crazy expectations for the team to meet before they are satisfied. Like the statement that we lost yesterday because we did not win by the margin they considered "enough." When watching on tv I like a wide margin because I can relax and watch the game not get too anxious. That anxiety is my fault and weakness not the teams.
I do respect our opponents deeply because they practice and prepare too. Things happen. I mean look at Friday and Saturday. I wonder what the Clemson and the rest of those who actually lost are thinking now. I learned the hard way to respect someone who is going against me be it a sport or real life. Like my first life and death knife fight. When I got my butt handed to me in a military golf tournament by a guy who I was supposedly 8 shots better than. He beat me 6 and 5 even though I was 3 under at the time. He was 8 under at the turn. Or in an open all form tournament when I went against a guy in his first tourney. I did not pay attention and he swept me out of the gate and landed on my breaking two ribs and I had to tap out.
Respect the opponent because not to do so gives them an inestimable advantage. Show them that disrespect and it gives them an inestimable advantage in motivation for preparation. (Wish I could somehow erase the Mike Hart comment and make MD come up with something else.) And as fans celebrate any win. Did MSU fans and team say they lost because they did not win right and they got 5 turnovers. No freakin way. There are no shoulds in the score differential. If we win in Happy Valley I will be happy. When we beat Rutgers I will be happy not matter the score.
Expectations are a source of disappointment and anxiety. Be prepared for anything and then be happy when we win and do whatever you need for solace when we lost. Be celebrate because we have the chance to be fans. And I am prepared for some vomiting all over my words. Others to poo poo them and others to say ???? Go Blue
