A few sights and sounds from Saturday’s colossal beating against Illinois:
- Relentless. Up 41-8 Harbaugh challenged the spot. I love it. It was a reminder that no matter what the circumstances, our focus will remain sharp, the gas pedal will be pressed down. The team came out stale in the second half and I wonder if Harbaugh did this to reminde everyone that this never stops – there are no moments to relax – and this is how it will always be. Even up 41-8 in the 4th.
- Speight Watchers. While it’s tough to draw meaningful conclusions against that caliber of opponent, Speight looked much better. He was more relaxed in the pocket and the he dialed in his accuracy during the bye week. Next week will say a lot because despite the sink hole that’s opened on the banks of the Red Cedar, he (and many others) will be under a lot of pressure next week.
- Harbs’ Specs. Harbaugh explained his new glasses in the postgame presser. No way he came up with this dynamic trio off the cuff:
And then the glasses is that a Woody Hayes nod?
[laughs]
“It is, actually. There’s really three people. Got my eyes checked out a couple weeks ago and they said I needed to go to glasses full time, so as of Tuesday I’m now a full-time glasses person. This style in particular is a tip of the cap, a nod, to Woody Hayes, to Michael Douglas in the movie ‘Falling Down,’ and also a tip of the cap to Malcolm X. In honor of those three men.”
- HR King on prem. Hands down you have to give Harbaugh an A+ this season on honorary captains. A torrid pace ain’t it? Here’s a great shot of Hammerin’ Hank Aaron (via #1000SSS):
- Yostian Pace – My man @JohnKryk notes that we’re on a splendid scoring pace. Through 7 games Fielding Yost’s 1901 team scored 340 points. Harbaugh’s have put up 341. Counting the Rose Bowl, the 1901 crew put up 550 and completely shut out their opponents.
- Mudbowl: Props to the SAE gents for keeping the Mudbowl rolling in high style, a Meechigan tradition that dates back to the 1930s (H/T Geoff Voss for the photo):
- #1000SSS posted these historical notes :
• The Wolverines improved to 64-29-2 in the all-time series against Illinois and 33-11-1 in home contests against the Fighting Illini. Michigan also improved to 90-28-2 on homecoming and has won 18 of its last 22 homecoming games.
• Michigan is now 7-0 for the first time since 2006 and just the fourth time in 40 years (1986, 1997, 2006, 2016).
- OTDs. Several great moments on October 22nd in Michigan football lore:
- Michigan Stadium dedication (1927)
- Bob Bergeron’s kick to beat Iowa (1983)
- ‘The Wave’ makes its M Stadium debut (1983)
- U-M 130, West Virginia 0 (1904)
- Mood Index: Schadenfreude is fun but I’m holding at 96. A solid win next week and we’ll talk.
- Uniforms: No changes but I’m with Dr. Sap, I’m digging the blue socks. But memo to Speight – you gotta hike ’em up, trey!
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