We covered a lot of ground including the odd origins of the Paul Bunyan Trophy (the nine foot wooden sculpture awarded to the winner of the Michigan-Michigan State game since 1953). And why Michigan fans have never really cared for it until now. We also touched on the 2020 Minnesota game, the Little Brown Jug (naturally), the fickle mood of Michigan fans and much more.
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Playing on Halloween, Tiny Crowds, Indifference for Paul | This Week in Michigan Football History
For the home opener of this unique year, This Week in Michigan Football History discusses Halloween, small Big House crowds, and one reason why Michigan fans aren't down with the Paul Bunyan Trophy. This Week in Michigan Football History.
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It’s in There: The Ultimate Michigan Football Memorabilia Collectors Guide (Interview)
Next up for the History Show is my zoom interview with Brian Snider, author and collaborator who produced 'The Ultimate Michigan Football Memorabilia Collectors Guide', a 536+-page clinical-like guide and catalog of 20 categories of University of Michigan memorabilia. If you enjoy history or memorabilia or both (and if you read this site I'm guessing it's both) you will love this. A perfect gift for a friend or family member - they will not be disappointed. Click for more - a preview, a few images, and the interview with Snider.
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Small House (Lowest Attendance at Michigan Stadium)
Due to the obvious restrictions tied to COVID, it looks like Saturday's tilt against the Spartans will yield the lowest attendance in the history of Michigan Stadium (1927). People will cite the 1931 Wisconsin game as the lowest on record - but that game might deserve an asterisk.
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Ski-U-Milton | Dr. Sap’s Decals
Big Ten Football is back! Michigan Football is back! And isn’t it just great?! During this pandemic when everything but the norm is now the new normal, there is still one constant that has been so sorely missed - Michigan Football. Here's Dr. Sap's Decals.
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Jug Ink Style Guide
Style guide for at-home DIY Little Brown Juggers. 49-24 in 2020.
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Has the Original 1903 Jug Survived?
In this video I examine a common question: Did the original jug, found by Gopher equipment manager Oscar Munson following the 1903 Minnesota-Michigan 6-6 tie, survive to the present day? In other words, is the jug the teams exchange today that same, original crock? We examine the evidence, from the paint jugs, to old photos, to press reports and most importantly, the expert opinion of Ryan Forrey from the Henry Ford Museum.
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Jug 401: Did Yost really want the Little Brown Jug returned?
In this short video, I take a look at the origin story involving Michigan's coach Fielding H. Yost asking for the return of the jug after the 1903 game. I also take a look at the alleged the response from Minnesota that he and Michigan would need "to WIN it back." This story is important to origin story of college football oldest rivalry trophy tradition, but is it really what happened? I examine some of the problems with and much more in this video.
