When's the last time we were truly surprised with the awesome quality of our team? 1997 Colorado was cathartic. 2016 had some holy crap moments early. 2021 OSU qualifies, for sure. (m)

Posted on August 20, 2026 at 11:52:25 PM by wolvalum

I want to believe in this team so much, but I think Lucy's gonna pull that football away again. On the other hand, this team could legitimately put up 49 points per game, and the D may not matter too much.

I also realize this seems like the ideal concern troll post, and I'm sorry for that. The late-summer sports schedule is the worst for letting anxiety stew.

Back to the board

Thread:

When's the last time we were truly surprised with the awesome quality of our team? 1997 Colorado was cathartic. 2016 had some holy crap moments early. 2021 OSU qualifies, for sure. (m) - By wolvalum August 20, 2026 at 11:52:25 PM
- 97, 2015, 2021* - By mtb August 21, 2026 at 06:00:30 AM
  - Agree, but I don't think that would apply if we are a playoff team this year. I think we should be - By Rich August 21, 2026 at 08:13:05 AM
    - Yeah can't see it being as big a surprise as those years unless we go 11-1 or something. Maybe 10-2* - By mtb August 21, 2026 at 11:48:11 AM
- You don't get to refer to a Lucy situation 3 friggin years after you won a national championship, man! We kicked the ball! We kicked the living shit out of the ball, and it was everything Charlie ever imagined it would be... - By jjwalker August 21, 2026 at 12:04:02 AM
  - And beating OSU four of the last five years. * - By Mark II August 21, 2026 at 05:54:40 AM
  - Yea this is the right opinion here* - By Daytripper August 21, 2026 at 12:14:31 AM
    - Fair, but it's a conditioned response. And the Detroit sports experience definitely carries weight* - By wolvalum August 21, 2026 at 12:19:20 AM
      - 100% And it gets toxic, Bulls fandom def knows it* - By Daytripper August 21, 2026 at 12:20:31 AM
- It's 2021 OSU and not really close lately as you said. It's a new non incestual non Harbaugh coaching staff. It's also Michigan forgodsakes. As was said last night: cup runneth over, just don't faceplant* - By Daytripper August 20, 2026 at 11:57:30 PM
  - My wife went to BYU, so I've been watching Whittingham from afar with curiosity for almost 20 years. The dude has always had his team dialed-up. I hope he still has his fastball. If so, we won't faceplant* - By wolvalum August 20, 2026 at 11:59:52 PM
    - Interesting, and encouraging* - By Daytripper August 21, 2026 at 12:13:48 AM

The Victors

When's the last time we were truly surprised with the awesome quality of our team? 1997 Colorado was cathartic. 2016 had some holy crap moments early. 2021 OSU qualifies, for sure. (m)