Michigan Embarrassed Themselves Saturday [BLOG/VIDEO]
By: Jeff Riger
@riger1984
Even before Michigan and Michigan State took the field at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, we all knew what the outcome would be. MSU was favored by 17 points and if you like making easy money than you should have bet on the Spartans to cover. I sure in the hell did and with my winnings, I was able to enjoy a couple of the finer things in life over the weekend.
From the get go the game was a total joke...
In case you didn't hear, Michigan players thought it would be a good idea to take a tent stake and jam it into the field before things got started. Talk about stupid? You're a 17 point underdog, the whole world knows MSU will throttle you but yet somebody decides it would be a good idea to take a 3 inch spike and jam it into the grass; and not even at the center of the field either, they choose, like a random patch of grass. If you're going to spike some grass, don't you think you should do it somewhere symbolic? Or here's a better idea...how about using a larger spike? You know, one that you can clearly see without pausing the DVR and straining your eyes. I get that Brady Hoke used a tent stake as a motivational tool the night before to get his team fired up but it clearly didn't work. So why carry it on the field and almost throw your back out while shoving it into the grass?
After the game Hoke was asked about the stake. "I think I was aware that something happened but I'm not fully aware" Hoke said.
Wait, what? Either you were or you weren't? Which one is it? I guess I get his uncertainty considering the stake was so small but c'mon. Plus the head coach makes it way too easy. To say "I'm not fully aware" unfortunately confirms what Michigan fans already know. The coach doesn't seem "fully aware" of really anything involving his team these days.
You would think the shoving of the stake / not knowing about the stake would be bad enough but then it got worse. Sunday Hoke felt the need to apologize for it. Like, who cares? It's a rivalry and one of your players shoved a pin in the grass, it's not that big of a deal. If you're going to stake a field, if that's even a thing, own it. Don't apologize. Here's an idea, if Hoke wants to apologize for anything, how about he starts with his fan base for being forced to put up with this embarrassment week after week.
According to Hoke's press release he actually called Mark Dantonio to say sorry. Can you imagine how that call went?
Brady: "Hello Mark?"
Mark: "Who's this?"
Brady: "Brady Hoke, you know the coach of the team that you dismantled last night?"
Mark: "How did you get this number?"
Brady: "I just wanted to apologize for my guys shoving a stake on your field."
Mark: "Oh don't worry about it... in fact I'm glad you called...I wanted to let you know to be expecting a thank you card on behalf of Spartans everywhere. You're really making us look good."
Mark: "Seriously though... How did you get my number?"
It's ridiculous that Hoke felt the need to apologize, especially after MSU used the pre-game staking as a reason to run up the score. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that. MSU scored a late rushing TD because apparently they felt disrespected by the stake. Who knew a tent spike could cause so much trouble?
By the way, the way Dantonio handled the incident and the way Hoke handled afterwards were like night and day. Dantonio inspired his fan base with talk of the disrespect that MSU has put up with and how they have overcome obstacles while Hoke once again seemed...well.. lost at the podium. Dantonio hates Michigan, I can respect that. In fact, I felt myself wishing Dantionio was Michigan's coach after I heard his reaction. What a concept? Give your fans what they want? Beat your rival and then talk smack about them. It was perfect.
Oh and, poor Joe Bolden. Not only did he shove the stake in the ground but then he has his coach apologizing for him. That can't feel good, especially after losing 35-11. Way to stick up for your guys Brady.
Hoke's apology was more embarrassing than the actual incident.
But it wasn't just the stake in the grass that embarrassed Michigan on Saturday...
As I'm sure you heard, coming into the game on Saturday; Michigan had failed to score a touchdown against MSU for the 3 years prior. Last time they crossed that goal line was in the 2011 game. Well that changed! I know what you're thinking! How can scoring a touchdown be embarrassing? Well, I'm glad you asked.
Michigan was trailing the game 28-3 and with a touchdown and a 2 point conversion they made it a 17 point affair. The Wolverines could not win the game; there wasn't enough time so the TD was meaningless. But don't you dare tell that to offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. You would have thought Nussmeier had just won the Super Bowl by his reaction when his offense put the ball in. Nussmeier fist pumped, yelled and actually seemed surprised that they got in the end zone. How sad! You have an offensive coordinator that was brought in from the high and mighty football factory of Alabama only to act like an amateur when his guys scored a single TD against the Spartans. Seriously, act like you've been there before. That reaction I'm sure breeds confidence in the unit he coaches. He might as well just yelled OMG... You scored...I didn't think it was possible! As for MSU fans, I'm sure they hated giving up that TD but I guarantee they loved the reaction of Nussmeier.
So remind me again when 'Nuss' is supposed to take over the program?
You remember when Notre Dame defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder went nuts after the Irish shutout Michigan earlier this season? He celebrated like Nussmeier did but it was warranted. He shut out the Wolverines in possibly the last game Michigan and ND will ever play. Nussmeier went crazy for a meaningless TD. Embarrassing!
I actually started to wonder if Nussmeier's and Van Gorder's celebrations were similar? Check out this Vine. I think it illustrates things well...
vine.co/v/OMB7qxrYn6z
I could go on and on here but why bother? Bottom line...Saturday was just another embarrassing day for anybody that is a fan of Michigan football. Your coach, both coordinators and team all let you down again and all you can do is be angry about it. It's not like they will even fire Hoke either. Nope, it seems like he's here for the duration of the season which means we get to look forward to many more embarrassing moments on and off the field.
Seriously how many more times this season will your head coach make you cry with his incompetence?
I remember getting excited about the Michigan-Michigan State game but now I just get excited when it's over.
Michigan fans deserve better but they sure in the hell won't get it with Hoke and David Brandon around.
Michigan State people love to tell you how bad things were when Bobby Williams and John L. Smith were coaching their team. However I find it hard to believe it was worse than the train wreck that is going on right now in Ann Arbor.
Oh geeze, look what I've done? I've depressed every Michigan fan even more than they already were. So Let me make it better, let me leave you with something to laugh about.
Check out the outfit that Hoke was sporting on Saturday. This should make you smile a little.
God, Michigan football is embarrassing!
