Crossing the Line

I can't bring myself to write about the game yet. My feelings are still too raw. The emotions are still too high. And my thoughts are a jumbled mess of irrational scenarios. I will eventually be able to put together a cohesive, comprehensive assessment, maybe. Don't hold your breath waiting for it. It's going to take me some time.

But, what I can write about is what happened after the game.  Lines were crossed by fans and for that I am both embarrassed and ashamed. Social media has become both a blessing and a curse.  It has afforded people the opportunity to connect with others they may never have a chance to do in "real life." Which is the really cool part about it. I can follow Coach Harbaugh and players and see what they're like as real people. What their favorite movies are. The type of music they listen to. Where they eat lunch. And, if I'm really lucky I'll get a mention or a retweet from one of them. (wink, wink Kovacs) Does this matter in real life, no, but it's still cool for a fan like me.

The absolute downfall to social media is what reared it's ugly head, seconds after the game was over. The punter, Blake O'Neil, was receiving death threats and suicide suggestions. Really?!?!? He's a young man that pours his heart, soul, time, blood, sweat, and tears into that team. You don't think he already feels bad enough about that play. And, what has become of our society that makes people think it is okay to react this way. This is a real problem in our society. People hide behind their computer or phone screens and nothing is done to them. I think, people should be able to be prosecuted for these types of offenses. Working in a school setting, this has become more and more prevalent and a way of bullying. It needs to stop!

My Pick 6 things I bet you didn't know about Blake O'Neil:
1. He played his first American football game last year at Weber State.
2. Before that, he was in Australia, where they play football with no helmets or padding.
3. He once got his so hard his liver was lacerated.
4. He's a smart man. He earned a bachelor's degree in Australia, a Master's degree at Weber State and is now pursuing his second Master's degree at the top university in the world.
5. He was a male model in Australia.
6. He's accomplished a great deal at 22 years old. I'm certain he's going to go on to be a rather successful man.  Leaders and Best.

Go Blue!
~Bekki

Numbers Don't Lie

I've often referred to myself as a "numbers girl." I love numbers, they just make sense to me. I find myself focusing on numbers dealing with random things at random times. For example, how much time is actually saved by speeding.  Or, how many steps it takes me to walk down the hall at school and the difference between the right side of the hall and the left.  Or, how excited I was on Pi Day at 9:26:53 (3.1492653). Just to name a few. And, for what it's worth, you won't arrive much sooner at all, maybe a minute or two depending on how long your commute is and how much you speed. So it's not really worth it. But, I digress.


It should then come as no shock that I've always really enjoyed statistics, too. It was my favorite class in high school.  And given the recent games Michigan has played, there is an abundance of stats that can be found in every corner of the football realm.  Let's take a closer look this week at just how dominating Michigan has been these past few weeks, shall we?


We all know the most popular and basic stat: Three consecutive shutouts, two of them to ranked teams. This hasn't been done since K-State did it in 1995, that's 20 years folks. Michigan hasn't done it since 1980.


Michigan has forced 32 three-and-outs, that's more than five per game.


Michigan has outscored their opponents 97-0 over the three game stretch.


Michigan has had 41 consecutive defensive possessions without a score.


Michigan is 19-for-20, or 95% efficient, in the red zone this season.


The 96 yard opening kickoff return by Jehu Chesson was the 1st since 1992 when Tyrone Wheatley, who just so happens to be the running backs coach, did it against Houston.


Yesterday Michigan scored on offense, defense and special teams. The last time this happened was 12 years ago against Indiana.


Michigan scored 38 points yesterday on Northwestern. Before yesterday, Northwestern had given up 35 points combined to its previous five opponents.


Michigan has outscored its last five opponents 160-14.


In the last 19 quarters of play, Michigan has given up 615 yards on offense, while gaining 1939 yards themselves.


It has been 189:17 of play since Michigan last allowed a point to be scored.


Michigan hasn't trailed in a game for the past 247:03 of play.


I could go on and on, statiscians  are some of favorite people to follow on Twitter, but you get the point. We're good. We're back. We're ready. We're coming for you.




My Pick 6 favorite moments from Saturday:
1. My daughter and I beating my dad and brother at cornhole.
2. The ride down to Ann Arbor as we discussed how good it feels to be back.
3. The two meals we ate that were cooked on a charcoal grill.
4. The anticipation walking toward the stadium.
5. The following 60 minutes of near perfect football.
6. The salute to the "veteran of the day" at the stadium during the game.


Go Blue!
~Bekki

Is this the new normal?

I've often found myself thinking about how the team could have been such a dumpster fire last year, but then in just a few short months look like a respectable, top 20 team.  I've come to the one and only obvious conclusion that makes sense, coaching.


In my teacher-mind, I've compared the transition and evolution of the team, to classroom management.  Some teachers have it, some don't. Some have it for kindergartners, some don't. Some have it for middle schoolers, some don't. I've yet to meet a teacher that feels he/she would be able to teach and teach effectively at any age level.  We all have our comfort zone. And apparently, so do coaches......except for one.


I imagine Brady Hoke, who no doubt wanted to be a great coach/classroom manager, just wasn't in his comfort zone at Michigan.  He loved Michigan. He wanted to do well there, but he just was out of his element. 


Take me for example, I know with every fiber of my being, that I could not be successful in a general education middle school English class. I'd try really hard. I'd ask colleagues for help. I'd want to do my best. I'd surround myself with people that I thought would be able to help me. But ultimately, it would be up to me to make it work. And I wouldn't. I'd fail miserably. I'd probably be fired for lack of student progress.  I know my limits. And this is it. I'd be eaten alive. 


If Brady Hoke were a classroom teacher his day would probably look and sound like the preschool classroom on Toy Story 2. You know the one; kids coloring on walls, ripping hair out of baby dolls, crayons up their noses, standing on counters, eating PlayDoh, screaming, hollering, complete and utter chaos. A dumpster fire.


And then, We Got Harbaugh. The guy that has been successful everywhere he's been and everything he's done.  Hell, he could probably teach kindergarten if that were the job he'd been hired to do.  I don't know how he does it, or care much for that matter. I'm just happy as hell that he can and that he's doing it for Michigan.  So, I guess I need to just sit back, enjoy the ride that he's taking me on, and get used to this the new normal.


Go Blue!
~Bekki