All of it. Forever. Michigan 34 - Washington 13. The National Championship Pictures.

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Nearly two months have passed without these photos. Sometimes life gets in the way of things, and that has definitely been the case. Thanks to all that reached out over that time to check in on me, share a laugh, and make me smile. All is well as can be over here now in the UMTailgate Home Office, and it is time to re-ignite the celebration of what was the greatest season in our history. Houston was the ultimate reunion of the UMTailgate fam, with so many different faces from so many different time periods, and it culminated with the ultimate result that we have waited so long for. The pre-game at the bar, the concourse pre-party, the game itself, the postgame celebration, the concourse after-party, and the late night family pizza party…it was all perfect. And it always will be. I cry a little easier than I used to these days, more out of happiness and nostalgia than out of sadness, and that being the case I can spontaneously well up at the thought of the faces of the family around me when Sanristil made that pick to seal it. I shared a hug with an old college buddy who somewhat sarcastically said in my ear “A life’s work” referring to the time and effort I put into this hobby over the last 30 years. Probably sounds silly, but call a spade a spade, it has been my life’s work. And while that work will continue on Saturdays in the fall with amazing tailgates and the greatest home schedule in Michigan history, the work won’t be the same. It will forever be approached in a casual Friday manner, as from what I’ve been told, the Business Is Finished.

Love all of you. A little over six months until the reigning National Champions take the field. Go Blue.

Pictures That A Seven Nation Army Couldn't Hold Back: Washington Joe Beef Tailgate 2021

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Oh man, that tailgate. Going to be very tough to top this year. Tremendous food and participation, and just about everybody you wanted to see, along with a few you didn’t.

But man, we are missing our Northern flavor this season. That’s right, I’m saying it. I miss (some of) the Canadians. Goose, Derek, Owen, Nichol, Carter…hope you can find your way across the border soon. But we are all proud of the great work you are doing at the international franchise to the north.

To that end, I’m including pictures here from the extended UMTailgate Canadian Location here in our photos. Hopefully they will soon be deemed acceptable to cross the border, or maybe they’ll scrape together some cash and hop on a flight. Anyway, pictures galore below, and also in the game page. Enjoy and GO BLUE!

All the Feels: Michigan 31-Washington 10

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Michigan continued to turn back the clock on Saturday, imposing a healthy dose of the 1970’s on an offense-less Washington Huskies team by using a ground attack so formidable, it was unstoppable even though everyone, even your average section 30 frosh, knew it was coming.  Michigan is the #4 rushing team in the nation, and has both the 8th (Corum) and 27th (Haskins) leading rushers in the country.  “Michigan can run the ball” is now a thing we know.  And while they may have less success against a few teams on their schedule, what you saw today will work against most.  Here’s a couple of real stretch transitive properties to keep you positive:  Washington only gave up 232 yards and one offensive touchdown to Montana, and Western gave up 56 TOTAL YARDS this week to Illinois State.  What I’m saying folks, is that minus some kind of O-line or RB catastrophe on the injury front, 7-5 ain’t happening.  What we have is a team that can checkers-match it’s way into boring, low possession games (that will have you pulling your hair out) against explosive offenses, and hammer lesser opponents into frustrating submission.  You know when you see that pack of blue uniforms pushing their own running back against a pack of white units and the pile keeps moving for like 5 extra yards?  That’s the real shit.  And I’ve seen a handful of those already this season…which is more than the last several years combined.  Call it “chip on the shoulder” or “something to prove” or whatever.  It’s a killer.  And if this were 1991, Michigan would be golden until the Rose Bowl.  HOWEVER….

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Time of possession and clouds-of-dust-loving bullshit aside, unfortunately, what we don’t know about is the defense.  I can’t get excited about dominating these lesser teams and then take that kick in the crotch again when that game with the receivers beating us deep and / or running wild in middle zone pockets with no one around occurs.  This is probably coming, and that’s when the fun will end.  If you have the means, that 4th quarter starting drive by Washington is the one to give you the hives you remember.  Also, minus the one-man wrecking crew in Aiden Hutchinson, we’re still having trouble getting home with 4.  Lots of future problems are possible.  But again, for now, unknown.

Oh, and also maybe Michigan can’t pass.  Which is kind of thing, unless it isn’t because they actually CAN pass and chose not to OR they can run so well they don’t need to (the latter of which would be historically unique in the modern era).  It’s important to keep in mind that a running Michigan is a winning Michigan…29-1 under Harbaugh when they have a 100 yard rusher.

Regardless, I don’t think there’s anything good to learn about this team until 10/2.  Might be a couple bad things.  We’ll see.  NIU will test Michigan’s  motivation.  Rutgers will outcoach them.  But talent will overcome both.  How they respond to House of Pain will show me something.

What I’m really trying to say is this:  The contrast of a maize pompon with a black night sky is striking.  And the way it gets almost dark toward the top of the stadium because it’s so big and away from the field lights is awesome.  And Saturday’s crowd felt so good.  It wasn’t the “loudest ever” or anything,  but it was the best in a long time, and maybe that’s because it was the only in a long time, but who cares.  It was great to see you.  I had fun.  Let’s do it again next week.

GO BLUE!

Way Back When-sday Never Forgets

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September 8, 2001: You’ll be saying this a lot over the next few days, but “I can’t believe it’s been 20 years.” We gathered in Seattle prior to The Huskies ruining yet another one of those 90’s and 00’s west coast road trips for Michigan, 23-18.

“In less than 60 seconds in the 4th quarter, the Huskies blocked a kick and returned it for a touchdown, and returned a Navarre tipped pass for a touchdown 2 plays into the ensuing Michigan drive” 🤮 🤮 🤮

I might have ate some salmon. Then some serious shit happened and trapped a few of our members on the left coast for a bit, and we all became super American for a while. Full game page is here.

Starting Out on the Right Foot

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Changing Your Expectations

You may have wanted John Navarre to play well, maybe even 'wow' you. You may have wanted the running game to be efficient, and the line to gel. You may have wanted Marlin Jackson to return an interception for a touchdown. You may have wanted to see consistency from the special teams. When Troy Nienberg missed a 27-yard field goal with 1:24 left on the clock, you may have wanted to bury your head in the sand. But when the Wolverines lined up for a 44-yard field goal with :05 on the clock, you remembered the ONLY important thing. You wanted to win. Each of us shared that same 'feeling' as the kick went seemingly perfectly through the uprights, giving Michigan a season opening 31-29 victory. That elation will be something that stays with us. However, as the days, weeks, and months pass, and the season progresses, the sunburn on our faces will heal, the score will dissappear. That feeling will eventually fade, perhaps even faster than the feeling of dissappointment would have. One thing will remain, and it is the most important thing in all of competitive sports...the 'W'. We won. We are 1-0. Hail to the Victors!

Thanks For Visiting

A quick nod to our tailgating friends and relatives of the Godfather that made the trek from the Northwest to the Big House. We always welcome those who come bearing pretzels and smoked salmon. You folks are a class act and we wish you and Tyler the best for the rest of the season...unless we cross paths again in Pasedena that is.
Movin' On Up

The Wolverines moved up 3 spots in the ESPN/USA Today Poll to #7, leapfrogging the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In the AP Poll, the Wolverines moved up 6 spots from #13 to #7, again leapfrogging the Cornhuskers, but also the Buckeyes, who had been bumped ahead of us after their opening victory.

Award Winners

Chris Perry earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors with his 120-yard, 3 TD performance. Philip Brabbs collected the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his game-winning field goal.

GO BLUE!!!

The Webmaster