And the 2008 Michigan Football season comes to a predictable end, losing 42 - 7 to THE Ohio State University.
I will carry on with my optimism, although my enthusiasm for defending RichRod has started to wane. The running game today had it's moments, with basically no threat of passing. Obviously the team can be built as a running game force, even against the mighty defenses of like Ohio State and Penn State. And I have to assume that once Michigan has a RichRod QB with any balance of skill, the big plays will come.
My new fear is the defense. Part of the problem was how bad the offense played, and the horrible positions they were put in. But there was no emergence of players from the sophomore ranks to replace the seniors (that is an opinion, I'm not digging through game stats). Even if the offense makes the jump next year into a top 3 Big 10 squad, then into a top 15 national squad (and those are my expectations), the defense may lag so far behind that even getting back to the Lloyd Carr level of performance may be difficult.
The worst thing about today is what Michigan - Ohio State normally means. I plan what I am doing for this game months out. Fake tailgating, getting to BW's hours before kickoff...this year I cleaned my living room during time outs and texted random comments to a friend, like the game didn't matter. That is kind of sad, and I really hope that next year this day means something again.
Anyway, go Penn State and to my fellow Michigan fans, look at the positives, look at RichRods turn arounds from season one to season two, and don't go completely insane.
Melanie Fitzpatrick
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I too hope for a quick turn around (what good is a 1 sided rivalry?) but I do not think it will happen soon.
Mich has some good players and a good bench at about evvery position except QB. I am not buying into any of their current roster developing into a QB to lead the team to the top 1/3 of the conference.
I ma also don't buy into true freshmen starting QBs leading a team to the top (there are a few exceptions, but in general it's not going to happen).
That leaves another year of recruiting, plus another year of development, and at best in 3 years RR will have the pieces to finish in the top 1/3 (assuming he can keep up recruitment in the intervening lean years) (this doesn't include having to get past some rapidly improving conference opponents).
The other hope for a quick turn around (other than some incredible development by the current bench) might be a quality QB from the Jr Colleges.
Prove It
Frellin Cold In, AK
Total Comments (6737)
Michigan needs to:
1) Fire Shaffer !!!!!!!!! ( no brainer)
2) Fire Jackson !!!! ( PLEASE don't return to the BIG back mistake) ( see Morris, Hart, ect....)
3) Keep McGuffie at ALL costs ( this kid can NOT be allowed to leave, we will NEVER win with Minor, he's too flat footed and slow!!!)
4) Find a QB ( looks like we might have found 2 but keep looking)
5) Give RR 1 more season to return Michigan to the 9-3 seasons we were at when he got here.
6) After 3 seasons if there is no improvement Fire RR)
gandeeland
White Lake , MI
Total Comments (13)
I don't have a horse in the race between UM/OSU, but I do feel that if RichRod gets the right QB in there, along with some speed athletes, he will absolutely own OSU. Unfortunately, we are probably talking about a three-year plan. Year One was pretty ugly, but I would have to think that by year 3 he's going to have it going on.
And you are right: Not much fun in a one-sided rivalry. UM's time is coming, though. Nobody outside the OSU family is impressed with the SweaterVest. I'm always glad when he loses, because I love to hear how creative Jim Rome gets when he dumps on "the vest"!
GodofDetailing
Cary , NC
Total Comments (14)
As an OSU alum, I hate Michigan with every breath in my body but I understand what you are going through. I was freshman at OSU in 1991 (the year that Michigan beat us 35-3 and Desmond Howard who should have been playing for us did the Heisman trophy pose in the endzone), I was a junior in 93 when we went into the Michigan game 11-0 and Michigan was 6-5 but we lost 28-0 as Tyrone Wheatley ran all over us, I was a senior in 94 when Biabutuka ran for 313 yards on us and in 95 we finally got our first win over Michigan during my 5 years at OSU. In other words, you can get through this. The thing that makes OSU-Michigan the best rivalry in football is the FANS on both sides. During the John Cooper era, we endured a 1-12-1 record against Michigan and repeated losses in bowl games. However, we still loved OSU football but hated the coach. Keep rooting for Michigan no matter what and eventually things will get better. You still wont be able to beat us, but YOU CAN ASPIRE TO BE THE SECOND BEST TEAM IN THE BIG TEN! Penn State got lucky when they beat us because Pryor made a bone head true freshman mistake when we were driving to put the game out of reach.
GO BUCKS!
gobuckeyes
Cleveland , OH
Total Comments (33)
Michigan will be fine. But we need to find a QB that can throw and run. Backs like McGuffie are a must. He is an explosive back. Every team goes through this type of change when you have a complete coaching change. Patience is key here. Look at the mess going on at Notre Damned. Charlie is having a heck of a time winning. Go Blue...
Gofish
Eugene, OR
Total Comments (1)
Just give it time - another good recruiting class and everything will be just fine but I wonder if this team could beat Central Michigan right now?
teddy469
Total Comments (8)
I've watched most of Central's games this year, and I think they would beat this Michigan team by 10 points. Now, if a 6-6 Michigan team would have ended up at the Motor City bowl against Central or Western (I hope Ball State gets to do something bigger and better at 13-0), maybe with the extra month of practice and getting healthy Michigan would have won.
Sadly, because of the lumps we took to transistion to the RichRod offense, we will never know.
Ruschurch
Livonia , MI
Total Comments (223)
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