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I think this is a fairly obvious type of self-preservation strategy. If you convince yourself that a loss is likely, then (the theory goes)…

Posted on September 4, 2026 at 11:52:00 AM by Craig

…it won’t be so crushing when it happens. And if UM wins easily, Yahtzee! It’s a pleasant surprise.

I’m not sure it actually works, but I suspect most of us have at least dabbled in this tactic.

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Thread:

I remember one classic instance of Spirit's pessimism. Spirit and one other permabear poster (Oldhead?) were convinced Scott Frost's Nebraska was going to thrash Michigan in Ann Arbor (2018 game) - By 6p September 4, 2026 at 11:34:57 AM
- I thought Frost was gonna get them rolling for sure (m). I don't think Nebraska is ever gonna get rolling again - By Spirit September 4, 2026 at 12:00:16 PM
  - I thought the mom thing was from back in '97. If mom wrote the letter when he was a 40-something year old, yikes.* - By mjhollen September 4, 2026 at 01:25:27 PM
    - 2005 (m) - By Spirit September 4, 2026 at 01:56:39 PM
- I think this is a fairly obvious type of self-preservation strategy. If you convince yourself that a loss is likely, then (the theory goes)… - By Craig September 4, 2026 at 11:52:00 AM
  - I worked with an older lawyer from Texas who called this mental strategy “buying insurance.” Well, actually IN-surance * - By WestSideBlue September 4, 2026 at 12:04:21 PM
    - IN-surance is a huge peeve of mine. Many (most?) ppl around here say it that way*** - By Craig September 4, 2026 at 12:06:59 PM

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