Moving on-the bowl
Saturday sucked. We have much work to do. However I seem to be in the minority of people who really care about our bowl game. I’ve seen a lot of comments about the bowl doesn’t matter. I think it matters a lot. When we dismantled Florida in the first year I was probably at my peak excitement level. I thought we were positioned to be launching towards elite and would not look back. After the bitter loss to OSU, we came out flat against Florida State to end the year with a thud. 1-3 in the last 4 games. Same thing last year. Last year was awful with the qb situation, but we all thought a month to prepare Peters would give us an easy win against a mediocre South Carolina team to finish 9-4. Didn’t happen.
This team has to make the bowl game their Super Bowl. We crapped the bed vs OSU and now they need to decide if they are going to roll over or make a statement. To me it will show a lot about Harbaugh and our future. Beat Washington in the Rose Bowl or Florida in the Peach to finish 11-2. We’ve only won 11 games a handful of times in the past few decades. I just think there is a lot to play for in that game still.
November 26th, 2018 at 7:43 PM ^
A rematch vs OSU is impossible
November 26th, 2018 at 6:29 PM ^
I will watch my team when they play anywhere or anyone. You get back on the horse when your thrown period. The best thing that can happen to a team is to face the thing that you just failed trying to accomplish. We will face crossing routes on defense and blitzes on offense. And it will be just what the players need. Face it and execute. As fans we take this loss hard. But we aren't in our senior year. Receivers need to face clutch catches and recruits need to see this team win or the talent disparity will get much worse. So yes. Mad as I am, this is in me. At this point, I just thank God I'm not an Illinois fan
November 26th, 2018 at 6:46 PM ^
Hard to get excited about a bowl game now, but maybe after Christmas the sting will wear off. I hope.
Either way, this team just had its soul crushed, and I imagine they will come out flat and disinterested much like the 2017 bowl game. That team had playoff and B1G champ game aspirations, just like this year. Everything else will be second fiddle. I don't have much hope Harbaugh can get them jacked up for the bowl game. *sigh*
November 26th, 2018 at 6:52 PM ^
I am looking forward to the bowl game. I would imagine the young LBs and DL will get a good long look against some good competition.
November 26th, 2018 at 7:10 PM ^
Agreed. I'm tired of the pussies on this blog acting like we're the first top ten team to get their asses beat. It is a competition and sometimes you lose. Get the hell over it. If most of you guys were athletes, you'd give up the first time you lose a play. Real champions take their lumps and use it to get better. On to the bowl game!
November 26th, 2018 at 7:12 PM ^
I would love to play OU somehow if OSU gets into the playoff.
Yes, the optics are scary, but wouldn't that be incredible if Michigan could come away with a win against them? That would definitely silence some critics.
I don't know, I just want them to play a good program that could give Michigan a chance to show their wins this year weren't just fluff
November 26th, 2018 at 7:24 PM ^
I'd rather play LSU in the Peach Bowl than either Washington or Utah in the Rose Bowl, to be honest
November 26th, 2018 at 8:03 PM ^
And here I thought that you might've wanted Moscow State University in the Borscht Bowl.
November 26th, 2018 at 11:08 PM ^
I'll be honest...I thought that was simply an ad for borscht in the middle of your comment.
November 26th, 2018 at 7:46 PM ^
This is the first time I've looked at the bowl game and thought "Mm, do I have to?"
And that includes RR's team going to the Gator Bowl on life support.
November 26th, 2018 at 8:00 PM ^
Don’t really want UCF or Florida. Would love a matchup against anyone else to get the taste of whatever happened on Saturday out of my mouth.
I’ll watch whoever it is but it would be nice for the team to take the game seriously and come out with some fire.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:09 AM ^
UCF would be a no-win for us. If the QB is out, people expect us to win anyway. If we lose, embarrassment galore.
Would rather have Fiesta vs. Wazzu/LSU
November 26th, 2018 at 8:04 PM ^
After the most soul-crushing, demoralizing beat down of my Michigan football watching lifetime (based on our team's ranking, stats, and expectations going in), I honestly don't know how the team can get up for playing a top twelve team in a major bowl game. Especially given how uninspired they played in last year's second tier bowl game after an even less embarrassing loss to OSU. Just sick and tired of our team being a punching bag at season's end almost every year now.
November 26th, 2018 at 8:19 PM ^
Really thought this was going to be the season everything came together...I’m a bit worn out from the loss but I’m definitely going to watch the bowl game. The biggest part of the lose that is stinging is that I won’t be able to watch them play an extre week in the B10 championship game. Feels like the season ended quickly and the bowl will be the start of next year...I’m guessing Pasadena VS UW
November 27th, 2018 at 1:11 AM ^
When JH was hired late 14, I thought 17 would be our year with his 3rd yr in the program, home games vs. MSU and OSU, etc. Then the Speight/JOK/Peters happened.
This year was bound to be tough with the road games. NW is 16-1 in their last 17 B10 games, with 20-17 loss to UM the only loss.
NEXT YEAR, we MUST win. Period.
November 26th, 2018 at 8:53 PM ^
Who cares, they're going to lose anyway.
November 26th, 2018 at 8:56 PM ^
Here are the likely scenarios...
If OSU makes the playoffs...
Rose - vs Washington or Utah
If OSU doesn’t make the playoffs, they go to the Rose Bowl.
We won’t be playing Georgia because they are going to either the CFP or the Sugar.
We could play Oklahoma if they lose to Texas and Georgia beats Bama meaning Georgia and Bama go to the CFP, Texas goes to the Sugar against either LSU or Florida and OU would get a NY6 bid most likely.
Most likely, though, it’ll be what ESPN predicted:
CFP will be Bama vs OU and Clemson vs ND. They won’t pass up a chance to match UCF and Florida. OSU and the PAC-12 winner go to the Rose. Meaning Michigan gets either LSU or Washington St. in the Fiesta.
November 26th, 2018 at 9:33 PM ^
LSU in the Fiesta would be fun.
Washington in the Rose Bowl would be a great traditional matchup.
I'm meh on any other realistic matchup . . . Utah, Florida, WSU.
November 26th, 2018 at 9:05 PM ^
Be nice for the players and fans to go to the Rose Bowl.
But I really want to see Michigan beat an SEC team (again).
Beating a Pac-12 team will hardly change the national narrative about both conferences being inferior to the SEC, no matter what Ohio State does.
November 26th, 2018 at 9:09 PM ^
We are on a bowl losing streak too. We will probably not be prepared again and lose our 3rd bowl in a row. I feel pretty confident and n this.
November 26th, 2018 at 9:17 PM ^
Make Florida our bitch again. Otherwise any other team will make Jimmy go 10-3.
November 26th, 2018 at 9:23 PM ^
I believe the last week of the season will host some major chaos in the top 10. It's anyone's guess where we end up and who we play.
November 26th, 2018 at 10:25 PM ^
A warm place against the best available team.
November 26th, 2018 at 10:38 PM ^
I'd like to see Michigan play Georgia or even Washington. The Huskies are truly back with their new coach and have even made it to the playoffs where they played Alabama pretty good. HOPEFULLY-Our arrogant stubborn coaching staff will watch film and PREPARE for the game. Don Brown better play LOTS of zone (HEY DON-YOU CAN STILL BLITZ AND PLAY ZONE COVERAGE-IT'S CALLED ZONE BLITZING- EVEN THE PROS DO IT). Both Georgia and Washington have good QB's and really good receiving corps. (HEY DON. YOU CAN STILL PLAY YOUR MAN COVERAGE TOO AS LONG AS YOUR COVERAGE PEOPLE READ THEIR RECEIVERS AS THEY PROGRESS IN THEIR ROUTES AND THEN SWITCH THEIR RESPONSIBILITY-THAT WAY A SLOWER GUY WHO GETS PICKED AND RUBBED DOESN'T HAVE TO PLAY CATCH UP AND LOOK STUPID IN FRONT OF 100,000 PEOPLE. Hoepfully we will capture our 11 win which is outstanding.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:13 AM ^
Bowl Projections as of the last 2 days...
24/7: Rose Bowl v. Pac 12 champ (more than likely Washington)
Athlon: Rose Bowl v. Pac 12 champ (more than likely Washington)
SI: Peach Bowl v. Florida
CBS Sports: Rose Bowl v. Pac 12 champ (more than likely Washington)
Orlando Sentinel: Fiesta Bowl v. UCF
ESPN: Both analysts/writers have Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl; Kyla Bonagura has Michigan v. Washington State. Mitch Sherman has Michigan v. LSU
November 27th, 2018 at 12:18 AM ^
For the most part it looks like the Rose Bowl or Fiesta Bowl. Michigan is too big and had too good of a season for any other Bowl game. If Michigan gets the Fiesta Bowl bring on Cajun Hoke. I think LSU is the best overall team Michigan could face which is good long term.
November 27th, 2018 at 12:23 AM ^
Michigan usually craps the bed in the bowl game. Nothing to look forward to.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:05 AM ^
JH teams were motivated vs. Florida for the 10-win thing and then played lame vs. FSU (except for a few plays) and really bad (when it counted) vs. SC.
I think JH needs to know the fan base won't tolerate a lackluster loss - we have a great home schedule next year and enough returning talent to go 12-0.
Two things for the bowl game: our seniors need to kick butt and motivate people EVERY minute of practice. No lulls. And 2nd, Shea, you'd benefit under another year of JH and staff. Why be a 3rd day choice and practice squad player when you can finally get your school to the promised land?
I do NOT expect Gary to play and maybe not Bush. That means we need to practice next year's starters from the get-go.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:55 AM ^
It's too soon. People will start getting amped up around Christmas once the realism sets in that there is no more football until September.
November 27th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^
yeah I'm kind of with you here it will be at least after the conf championship games are over until I get excited. I will get excited though for it.
November 27th, 2018 at 6:08 AM ^
Bowl games are still crucial. Gotta get that last win.
November 27th, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^
Good afternoon.
I have humbly submitted a letter on your behalf for admission to the "R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl". It looks like it would be against Appalachian State which is good! You can continue your "revenge tour"