Inside Enemy Territory

by HookMania on Oct 12, 2008 10:34 AM EDT

Being a pround alumni of Toledo and living in Michigan, I had a chance to attend the UT-Michigan game at the Big House yesterday. I want to give a scouting report and a review of the stadium atmosphere. I had 2nd row seats right behind the Toledo bench surrounded by Michigan fans. The fans around me were passionate about Michigan and polite to me. I did get loud in favor of the Rockets, especially for the 100-yd pick 6 and the FG that bounced off the crossbar, and everyone let me be. I even got a "good game" from a fan that left early. Had no incidents pre or post game either. The fans were mainly in a shame spiral because of horrendous offense Michigan has (more on that later). One interesting note was that a Michigan usher asked the fans to be polite to the players on the field because Illinois players complained about rudeness last week. I didn't notice any of this even when Toledo players were egging them on later in the game. Did have a few people yell out about Tom Amstulz weight but other than that they were quiet. As for the stadium, it did get loud on 3rd downs and the such. It didn't shake like the Beav but that's only because it is built into the ground. The fans do chant you suck after big stops which I thought was classless but that's my only complaint. It was an experience but definitely no Happy Valley. Penn State is still my favorite place to catch a game and I don't think I'm being bias.

On to the play of Michigan. If PSU doesn't beat them by 40, we should be ashamed. Michigan is horrendous with the ball and I think it's affecting their defense because they are playing just as bad. Toledo did move the ball outside the 20s but could not get it done in the redzone. I don't think Penn State will have that problem. McGuffie is all their offense so stop him. Also Derrick Williams should be able to have a field day like Toledo receiver Nick Moore did. It's going to be a long week waiting for this game and I will not be satisifed until there is 0:00 on the clock and Penn State has a blow out victory. It's been a long 9 years and it's time for this streak to end.

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I like your optimism,

but beating anyone by 40 takes some seriously good play by our guys, some crippling mistakes by their guys, and a little luck (e.g. having their fumbles bounce to us, breaking a return, etc).

We could totally dominate this week, and only win by 14. It’s just the nature of the game. That being said – winning by 41 again will suit me just fine.

Plus, I absolutely love these 4:30 game times.

’Preciate the report from the field, Hookie. I remember Toledo kicking OUR ass. Enjoy the win; your alma mater deserved it.

'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'

by Pete the Streak on Oct 12, 2008 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

Ohh I remember Toledo beating PSU too...

In the press box of the Glass Bowl, there are collages of every big win in recent history. I was enjoying looking at the one put together of the Rockets upset of the Larry Fitzgerald led #9 Pittsburgh and then moved on to the next one which just happened to be the Penn State one. That one I wasn’t so impressed with.

by HookMania on Oct 12, 2008 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Slight difference being

The Toledo team that beat Penn State was good, they went 10-1. This Toledo team just “improved” to 2-4.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Oct 13, 2008 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

This game...

has me slightly calmer than I was this week. I just worry that we will play the Michigan that Wisconsin played, the one that has some fight in them and wont go down regardless of the score. I would like to see a few of our players comment on that, so at least we can acknowledge that the only way to beat these guys is to put our feet on their throat. I’m fairly positive that we win, its just a matter of what the score will be.

I was out in the trenches, which enables me to paint such a powerful picture, like Apocalypse Now.-Cormega

by OMEGAMAN on Oct 12, 2008 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

Michigan

As a loyal fan of the Maize and Blue for over 40 years, I am begging for mercy. This year’s wolverines are as frail and toothless as is physically possible. Though there have been some exciting matchups during the past few years between Michigan and Penn St. this will NOT be one of them. Again, have mercy. This is a road-kill wolverine that is watching the buzzards circle overhead.

by tenzing on Oct 12, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

mercy is for the weak

but you still won’t get any

I am nervous about this game and I will NEVER ask for a blowout. I just want a win. I don’t care what kind of win, just a win.

"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."

by showtime on Oct 13, 2008 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Mercy?

Sorry, we can’t give you mercy

But if you want an extra 2 seconds in the fourth quarter this year, we’ll give you that

by WallyC on Oct 13, 2008 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Ummm......NO

If they want an extra 2 seconds in the 4th quarter, it means the game is close.

No extra time for you!

I kinda like the begging thing, though. Don’t stop because of us.

'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'

by Pete the Streak on Oct 13, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

who knows

maybe this time they’ll ask the refs for an extra 2 minutes, or extra 20 minutes…or extra 2 hours. You never know what the refs will do to favor Michigan.

by The JuggerNitt on Oct 13, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions