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Sitting in Michigan Stadium yesterday I thought...

1. Clawson knows what he's doing with the QB position because clearly Pankratz doesn’t have the skill set Schilz has. I would have liked to have seen what Schilz could have done. Might have been able to put a little more pressure on Michigan to score. But with our defense, it wouldn't have mattered anyway.

2. I thought we had some momentum going when we scored on the screen to make it 21-14. After that, our defense had them in two third down situations in their territory but let them convert. If they had been forced to punt I would like to have seen what we could have done with the ball. Instead, Michigan goes on to score and make it 28-14 with just seconds before the end of the first half.

3. Michigan had at least two touchdowns called back by penalties and one TD missed when a wide open receiver dropped the ball heading into the end zone. It could have been much worse.

4. The Michigan fans still seem to not totally buy into Rodriguez and this style of football. A suspect defense and a finesse offense isn’t exactly Michigan football. It might have worked in the Big East but still a question on will it work in the Big Ten. Talking to the fans they are taking a wait and see attitude on the season. Beating Massachusetts, Connecticut, Bowling Green and a bad Notre Dame team is one thing. We’ll see how they do against Michigan State, Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio State.

5. I really don’t like Michigan Stadium. It has no character and the game day atmosphere around the stadium is boring compared to other venues (Ohio State and Penn State to name two).

6. I know our defense is much maligned after the game…and rightfully so…but I do see some positives in it. Young players like Leacock, Woods, Swann and Gates showed some promise. Still not enough play makers on defense to give us a chance to win against a BCS team.

I agree with 5. I had never been to Michigan Stadium and was looking forward to seeing it.

Once you're in the stadium it's very bleh, it's not loud at all...I know Michigan lovers will say it was BG and it was 65-21. But, at no point did I ever have to raise my voice to talk to someone around me.

Outside of the UM fans we went with, the UM fans we encountered both inside the stadium and outside were the worst I have encountered at any college sporting event. I will never go to another game there, I went in indifferent about Michigan and the Big10, but I am rooting for them to get destroyed and embarrassed from here on out.

Falcon137 wrote:I agree with 5. I had never been to Michigan Stadium and was looking forward to seeing it.

Once you're in the stadium it's very bleh, it's not loud at all...I know Michigan lovers will say it was BG and it was 65-21. But, at no point did I ever have to raise my voice to talk to someone around me.

Outside of the UM fans we went with, the UM fans we encountered both inside the stadium and outside were the worst I have encountered at any college sporting event. I will never go to another game there, I went in indifferent about Michigan and the Big10, but I am rooting for them to get destroyed and embarrassed from here on out.

I didn't have any negative encounters at the stadium or on the golf course while tailgating. It was the same when we were there the first time. No issues whatsoever. I had a great time (other than that "watching the game" part ) tailgating and finding friends that I never thought we'd be able to find on the golf course among all those cars and people!!!

We were sitting in the middle of the Michigan side, the fans around us were great, and all of them were very kind to us. Out of all college venues I've ever been to, Michigan fans have to be the nicest, kindest people I've ever met. When we parked out on the golf course, the Michigan fans next to us offered us beers and food and were totally supportive of BG. After the game, the fans said despite the score, parts of our team looked good and offered us the best of luck in the future.

The only UofM fans I saw saying anything, was to the BG fans blaring 'Hang on Sloopy' and waving OSU flags while singing "We don't give a damn about the whole state of Michigan"

But those douchebags deserved to be yelled at.

As far as the stadium went, The big house isn't designed to be loud like Penn St. or OSU are. The stadium is a bowl without a second layer or walls really. The stadium is almost entirely underground. However, the stadium is impressive, and the crowd was pretty into the game for such a blowout I think. We were surrounded by U of M season ticket holders, so they explained a lot of the traditions to us. I really liked what they do with the wave as well.

I scored three fancy shmancy club level seats off of my brother. We were sitting in the tower on the BG side.. The UM fans were great...I've been to a number of games wearing BG stuff and they're always cool with me...most of them are actually pretty respectful of the MAC.

So far as the volume goes...the renovations have made it louder. They installed instruments to measure the noise levels and found that the stadium floor is now 33% louder at it's peak...according to my brother, during the UCONN game guys standing within a foot of each other could not hear themselves speak.

So far as the QB situation goes...our offense isn't going to work if the QB is holding the ball and dancing around. He has to make the quick read and get the ball out. Pankratz struggled with that. I hope he has a better feel for the position against UB

Ate at Real Seafood in Ann Arbor after the game (I was just passing through on my way back from Saugatuck, not attending). One table was full of BG fans (about seven or eight) and one guy wearing UM gear. Asked the BG people why they were letting him sit there and got the succinct answer "He's buying!" The guy looked totally miserable. In every cloud, a silver lining.

Chimie wrote:As far as the stadium went, The big house isn't designed to be loud like Penn St. or OSU are. The stadium is a bowl without a second layer or walls really. The stadium is almost entirely underground. However, the stadium is impressive, and the crowd was pretty into the game for such a blowout I think. We were surrounded by U of M season ticket holders, so they explained a lot of the traditions to us. I really liked what they do with the wave as well.

While living in the Detroit area, I have worked with a cross-section of UM graduates for 23 years. While not applied to all, the vast majority are smug, self-absorbed pretentious azzholes. "As a whole", they truly feel as though they are a level above everyone else. This goes beyond a "my school is better than your school" attitude. It boils down to an attitude as though we should be grateful for being allowed to share the earth's surface with them. They truly feel that every football player actually academically qualifies for the school, and they wanted to crucify Jim Harbaugh when he spoke to the contrary. Couple this with your average "Wal-Mart Wolverine" (as Spartan fans call them), and you have a mostly self-righteous fan base.

With that said, there is no game-day atmosphere at Michigan stadium. The fans (until a couple of years ago) always expect to win, and therefore do not get loud when appropriate. Mind you, the small of student section goes nuts when it should, and when it would best help the team, but this is a very small percentage of the crowd. The students used to have a "cool" tradition of throwing marshmallows around and on the field. The school has since stopped that. I have been to several Notre Dame and Ohio State games over the years and am shocked as a see the Maize and Blue crowd sitting on its hands.

The old design at Autzen Stadium (Univ of Oregon) is a Bowl design and seated only 42,000 (renovated to 54,000). After losing there a few years ago, Lloyd Carr said it was the loudest stadium he'd ever been in; 42,000!!! It ain't the design, it's the fans.

P.S. Chimie, glad to see you back Stateside.

I think I had one chick yell "Bowling Green sucks" before the game, but the only fan I really had an issue with was a guy walking with a young (like 4 year old) boy with a BG hat on. The guy yelled "OH", looked around for a response, got none, and yelled "IO". Then followed with "yeah, F*** Michigan."

Let him know how classy I thought he was and he said "What, I can't yell OH-IO in here?" I told him I was proud of his spelling skills, but the f-bomb in front of the boy was ridiculous. I still don't think he got it.

TG1996 wrote:I think I had one chick yell "Bowling Green sucks" before the game.

I think every school is required to have someone yell the opposing team sucks before the game

That is usually the only fan issue I run into at road games. I guess I'm lucky, have never really had anything too bad happen to me involving other teams fans like others have brought up in posts before

SB-50 wrote:

Chimie wrote:As far as the stadium went, The big house isn't designed to be loud like Penn St. or OSU are. The stadium is a bowl without a second layer or walls really. The stadium is almost entirely underground. However, the stadium is impressive, and the crowd was pretty into the game for such a blowout I think. We were surrounded by U of M season ticket holders, so they explained a lot of the traditions to us. I really liked what they do with the wave as well.

While living in the Detroit area, I have worked with a cross-section of UM graduates for 23 years. While not applied to all, the vast majority are smug, self-absorbed pretentious azzholes. "As a whole", they truly feel as though they are a level above everyone else. This goes beyond a "my school is better than your school" attitude. It boils down to an attitude as though we should be grateful for being allowed to share the earth's surface with them. They truly feel that every football player actually academically qualifies for the school, and they wanted to crucify Jim Harbaugh when he spoke to the contrary. Couple this with your average "Wal-Mart Wolverine" (as Spartan fans call them), and you have a mostly self-righteous fan base.

With that said, there is no game-day atmosphere at Michigan stadium. The fans (until a couple of years ago) always expect to win, and therefore do not get loud when appropriate. Mind you, the small of student section goes nuts when it should, and when it would best help the team, but this is a very small percentage of the crowd. The students used to have a "cool" tradition of throwing marshmallows around and on the field. The school has since stopped that. I have been to several Notre Dame and Ohio State games over the years and am shocked as a see the Maize and Blue crowd sitting on its hands.

The old design at Autzen Stadium (Univ of Oregon) is a Bowl design and seated only 42,000 (renovated to 54,000). After losing there a few years ago, Lloyd Carr said it was the loudest stadium he'd ever been in; 42,000!!! It ain't the design, it's the fans.

P.S. Chimie, glad to see you back Stateside.

Many thanks, I would say it's good to be home, but that would be lying. At least it's good to see my Falcons play, even if it's a lopsided loss.

Anyways, While I agree, if all 115k fans stood up and yelled, it'd get pretty deafening, however, a large percentage of the people at the U of M games are people with young children, elderly people, and people who just prefer not to stand and yell the whole game. While I love being in a student section and chanting and whatnot, there are situations where that's not what the fanbase wants. Is it 'anti-atmosphere'? Idk, It might not be the atmosphere people would expect from a fan base like U of M or a stadium holding 115k+.

And believe me, As someone who lived in Columbus for 20 years, Detroit for 2 (Plus trips there 10-15 times a year for 20 years) and quite some time spent in East Lansing now, I dunno if I agree with your feelings on U of M fans. (Especially since my whole family and I are Wolverine fans {when they're not playing BG}).

I think most people here know about Buckeye fans. Clearly, the whole world is out to get the blessed buckeyes because they're jealous... until the Buckeyes lose 2 games in a season, then the coach needs to be fired because he's horrible and has only taken them to 3 National championships. Oh yea, and there's only 1 university in Ohio...

In summery, I think judging fanbases based on personal opinion is very subjective, and won't really get us anywhere. There are good fans and bad fans no matter where you go.

Chimie, You are absolutely right about Buckeye fans. I am from Columbus. I wanted to leave home and OSU just wasn't my type of place, and that's what led me to God's Country. Many of my friends/family are just the type of fan you describe.

I also understand your feelings on being home. My "best man" has lived in Tokyo for 6 years. He is in Roppongi Hills. I have visited twice and it was amazing. I hope to go back before he leaves. You obviously recognize the picture to your left, it was taken from his balcony.

GO FALCONS...WIN THE MAC!!

Originally from Westerville. 65% of my graduating class went to OSU, the other 45% went to OU/Miami. Only 3 people from my class came to BGSU, which was one of the biggest draws for me =P Anything to get away from Columbus and that attitude they keep around there.

Been to Roppongi Hills a few times, it's better than Roppongi proper, but still, Roppongi is nicknamed 'Marine Hell' by most foreigners in Japan, it's the place our men of service go to be wild and crazy drunken 18-23 year old tourists.

I'm sure you've been to Shibuya (the big busy crosswalk area). I'd say that part of Tokyo has the best nightlife and best bar scene/clubs out of anywhere I've ever seen.

And I'll agree with you on your last point! GO FALCONS! BEAT THE BUFFALOES!

h2oville rocket wrote:Ate at Real Seafood in Ann Arbor after the game (I was just passing through on my way back from Saugatuck, not attending). One table was full of BG fans (about seven or eight) and one guy wearing UM gear. Asked the BG people why they were letting him sit there and got the succinct answer "He's buying!" The guy looked totally miserable. In every cloud, a silver lining.

I love Saugatuck...it's one of my favorite places to go in the summer...and it's suprisingly fun to go in the winter as well. I think the "artist community" vibe has moved accross the road to Douglas because Saugatuck got too touristy...but it's a fun time all the same.

Given our discussion on the NCAABBS....that's all I'm saying about Saugatuck...

Chimie wrote:Originally from Westerville. 65% of my graduating class went to OSU, the other 45% went to OU/Miami. Only 3 people from my class came to BGSU, which was one of the biggest draws for me =P Anything to get away from Columbus and that attitude they keep around there.

So 110% of your graduating class went to OSU, OU, or Miami. That is an astounding percentage!

Yes, I loved Shibuya. There was quite a bit to do there...and I did. One of my visits was during the New Years Holiday. That was fabulous. Tokyo was packed with Japanese tourists visiting "the Temple", the Emperor's Palace etc. It was a great time.

One of the things that amazed me the most was the work ethic, the sense of obligation & duty of the people. They take a great deal of pride in anything that they do. What was very refreshing was the workers in the service industry; waiters, bellman, cab drivers, etc. They take such pride in their work and seem to do it for more than just the pay. Since there's no gratuity system, they are doing merely for service and not to attract a tip.

I can't wait to go back! This is a "GREAT" country, but there's a lot I wish we could emulate from that culture.