Before I get to why I hate Michigan let me start by saying rivalries are what makes the game of football fun. There is no better feeling than beating one, and no worse feeling than getting beat by one.
In addition, I have the utmost respect for the institution known as The University of Michigan. In fact, it is allegedly a good school – I just hate everything it represents.
Hailing To The Victors
The rivalry has a storied past that has been led by the Wolverines dating back to 1887. Between 1887 and 1908, the Wolverines won eight straight outscoring the Irish 110-10. Since then, Notre Dame and Michigan have gone back and forth with only two win streaks greater than two games. Michigan is ahead in the all-time series 24-17-1 but the Irish lead the series 17-16-1 since 1909.
Reason #1: Jim Harbaugh
Harbaugh was hired by Michigan in 2015 after actually having success on the NFL level. If it was not for his big brother John Harbaugh, he may have won a super bowl. But it appears Harbaugh’s “Little Brother” complex has followed him.
Michigan’s conference rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes has destroyed them year after year, in what they call “The Game.” Harbaugh hasn’t been able to break through and this year it looks like they will again fall short.
Harbaugh is also .500 against in state rival Michigan State Spartans. Of course they have been in upset fashion and have made many sad Michigan fans famous.
First was the unforgettable blocked punt returned for touchdown with time expiring. The other forcing the #7 Wolverines to turn the ball over five times as they lost 14-10 under the lights.
Outside that, Harbaughs record is actually respectable – but it is how he carries himself in those dorky khakis week in and week out that makes you not like the guy. He talks a big game and has not been able to back it up. In the head-to-head department, Brian Kelly has only faced Harbaugh once and was victorious.
Reason #2: The Arrogance
I am not sure what is in Ann Arbor’s water but they are just plain arrogant. Every fan, student and alumni seems even more entitled than the average millennial when it comes to their university.
This elitist mentality bothers me on so many levels. The statistic that they are the winningest program in college football is skewed by the fact they began playing in 1879. Under the same logic, Yale – who started in 1872 has over 900 wins, so they must be a good team. No – Yale is not, by today’s standards, a good team.
The only statistic to compare is win percentage – and yes, Michigan leads this category. The two teams are only separated by less than half of a percent; both are top five in college football history.
In just about every other major category, Notre Dame has the edge.
The Irish ultimately rank higher with more All-Americans, more Heisman Trophy winners, more NFL draft pick, more first round NFL draft picks. We also have 11 national championships since 1924. Six of Michigan’s eventual 11 national titles came before 1924.
My point is they are not even better than the Trojans of Southern California, whom we just beat, let alone better than Notre Dame.
Reason #3: QB1
Harbaugh has not has not developed a single quarterback he has recruited since once in a generation talent Andrew Luck chose Stanford. His starting quarterbacks have been Jake Ruddock – transfer from Iowa & Shea Patterson, transferred from Ole Miss and the interim Wilton Speight was recruited by Brady Hoke.
From what I have seen of Michigan, I personally believe the back-up Dylan McCaffrey has the intangibles that could be a difference maker.
Back In Prime Time
It was somewhat expected, but it was officially announced that the game on October 26, 2019 will be at 7:30 PM ET.
With the game still a few weeks out, Michigan still has to head down to play #7 Penn State, a game also in prime time.
I have no faith in either of these teams but one of them has to win. Harbaugh is 2-2 versus Penn State with both losses being at Happy Valley.
Bye Week Blues #2
As for the Irish, they will get to enjoy a bye week which should allow running back Jafar Armstrong to get back up to game speed as he was only featured on a handful of plays against USC. Notre Dame extend their home-win streak to 15 consecutive wins.
Notre Dame has already had a bye week this year as they played a Monday night season opener. This gave just under two weeks to prepare for New Mexico.
The Irish used the extra preparation to their advantage and quarterback Ian Book played a very clean game albeit against a poor opponent. Book has now thrown for five touchdown passes on two occasions. Book will need to be even more prepared against a team like the Michigan Wolverines.
