An open letter to Michigan Football.

...by this time next year things will look very different

Thanks to the seniors. They have laid the ground work for a young team. They stuck it out when others left. They did not leave because of coaching change. They played for the Block M and should be commended.

I get as negative as anyone after a hard loss, but I am so proud of the toughness and, yes, the heart that the team showed today. Thanks to the team, and thanks to you for sharing your positive energy.

This defense played with a lot of heart and soul; the offense played well, but made too many mistakes.

I was proud for our players, because they really played for Michigan today!

You could *feel* a difference in how that game was played mitigated by 4 interceptions (damn that one at the goal line) and of course the early endzone fumble. That team looked better, more focused and clearly GERG schemed to keep his job.

Wins or losses those seniors played with real character.

I for one am at a loss with what we will do without the Emperor of Space.

The team played wonderfully today. Defense really stepped up except for their one long scoring drive. I'll take that each week. Turnovers cost us today. And if Tate doesn't get a lot better next summer, I see another freshman from Inkster taking over...

Thanks guys, for going out there and giving it your all. For not embarrassing yourselves, or us. For making it a game that we could reasonably expect we could win, till just about the end.

And for being Michigan Men, whether it be for 5 years, 4, or ones who are coming back.

Today should put to rest some of the criticism about bad coaching - RichRod and the crew did a good job, and GERG (helped a lot by Brandon Graham) showed a lot better side of himself. This has been excruciating, but the Spring will be better, and watch out next fall!

At the beginning of this season, none of us - nor the great media sports pundits out there - had the slightest idea what this team would look like. They dazzled us early on and then had a rough underclassman wake up call when they hit the Big Ten. This time is different, we have a feel for what the coaches and players are building.

I got spoiled by Bo's '69 team, the win over OSU that year and the ensuing 30-odd years (before the teams and coaching post-2000 began to frustrate me me endlessly). This is going to be a new Michigan legacy, and its sights are going to be set beyond the Big Ten.

Looking forward.

Coach John Wooden's definition of success comes to mind. Success is the feeling of satisfaction that comes from knowing you did your best. I think the team can have that consolation today. The deficiencies are obvious, and some of them can be solved with another year of experience and (most crucially) a very good recruiting year to increase the depth of overall talent.

So we're all right, Jack. It would be worse. We could be Notre Dame.

The only worry I have concern the possible NCAA violations. I would hate to have the football team go through what the UM b-ball team went through. I agree with the sentiments expressed by everyone in this post. I was worried about getting embarrassed by OSU all week. Now, after today, I honestly think we could have/should have won that football game. While I was frustrated at times with the insertion of D Robinson at crucial points in the game and all of the turnovers, I won't dwell on that. That's in the past. I was not impressed with OSU at all - Pryor is not the player people thought he would be yet. I see this team improving and I am excited for the future... I just hope to god there are no serious NCAA violations.

I hope and pray that the torch of his intensity and love of the game is picked up by some of these young guys. I will miss watching him play.

Overall, I thought the team played well today. We had some bad breaks and Tate didn't read a few plays well...but he's a Freshman and our OL is young, and we were playing without our best back. Again, if not for the turnovers I think we would have won this game.

I hate losing again to OSU but at least I see some hope for the future. RR deserves two more seasons here and then the wins should come easy. I pray we don't get a major NCAA violation...I don't think we will but will be severely disappointed if our coach gets fired over this!!!

Good job seniors...you played and hit hard! I was pulling for a bowl game but am proud that you all played hard! Good luck in your future endeavors!

Go Blue!

I needed that, and to all the players, good luck in the future. No where to go but up from today...I still have a lot of hope and optimism, I can only hope its not totally misplaced...

Aug

Wholehearted agreement.

There are few things in life I hate more than losing to OSU.

BUT:

Did everyone see we just held OSU to their 3rd lowest point total of the year? If not for Tate's fumble, it would have been their 2nd lowest point total.

The defense stood very tall today. Apart from the TO's, so did the offense. Time of possession in the first half was one second away from being dead even. This might sound like grasping for something positive, but I don't think so. The offense moved the ball and kept our defense off the field. We saw what they can do when they are not exhausted from having been on the field for too long.

Those guys played their guts out and I for one am very proud of the way they played.

And you are very correct: great job on the coaching staff as far as the game plan.

I was watching from one of the NYC alumni sports bars, and I have to confirm the positive feeling from the standing-room-only crowd (a rarity this season). Other than the obvious (unfortunate turnovers), OSU's offense moved easily in only two drives. And the defense didn't go downhill from there, as it has some times this season. The guys kept playing, kept coming back. Since most of us (honestly) didn't expect a win, we got what we hoped for: a truly competitive game. How many times have I left an OSU loss feeling good? Promising youngsters, seniors going out with passion... Reading these comments instead of the usual coach-bashing gives me even more hope. Thanks.

Seniors.
Thank you, everyone else involved with the UM football team.
I will see you next year.

I feel bad the season ended the way it did, but this team played with the heart and determination that lets you know they haven't given up on this coaching staff or this school.

We lived through nearly a decade of basketball purgatory until they turned it around; I'm not ready to give up on this squad yet.

feel funny that its over, I'm glad I don't have to see the disappointment in my dads face any more this year, and that Feburary will be here very soon for some online fun. Please NCAA, get us 2 Signing periods, Janurary and July. 2009 you may R.I.P.
lIVING IN OHIO WILL SUCK AGAIN FOR 12 MONTHS AND 1 WEEK.

I think the offense should look a lot better. Tate/ DRob are both growing up and will have a nice group of WRs (do you think Jeremy Gallon has a shot?) for them to throw to. Plus Devin Gardner is going to be pushing these guys too. On the D-side, Will Campbell hopefully becomes a regular and I'm excited to see what Marvin Robinson can do.

You know, nothing would make me more proud than for the positive attitude of the posters here to perpetuate through all of UM fandom. It probably won't happen, but it would be nice to show that world that Wolverines aren't all just a bunch of bruised egos like those at other major programs.

I believe.

Agreed with pretty much every post so far. I love this team

I came away from the Big House today sad about the outcome of the game and also distraught about all the stupid Buckeye fans in the stadium.

But overall I was extremely encouraged about our future. I thought the team showed considerable improvement and we played a much older/better team almost even.

Can't wait to see what RR can do when he gets a full roster of experienced players.

I've been a long time reader here, but never had the gumption to actually join and start commenting. But after reading this post, I would like to say thank you for finally putting down what really needs to be said, especially after all of the bashing the past few weeks. I, along with the rest of us fans here in the South Bend area saw a team that fought hard, and proved to us that they have put so much time, and effort into making us believe that this might actually work. I know it's going to be a long offseason for all of us, but I cannot wait for next year's spring game, and the opener.

Maybe this is too early. And maybe this is too optimistic... but if we don't have hope what DO we have?

FS: Troy Woolfolk
SS: Vlad Emilien/Jordan Kovacs/Mike Williams (Preferably one stands out in offseason, and preferably that one isn't a walk on )
CB1: Donavan Warren
CB2: Justin Turner
SLB: I really hope Marvin Robinson wins this battle
WLB: Jonas Mouton (He has a lot of talent, just too many mental mistakes. With a little dedication in the offseasn, they can be fixed!)
MLB: Please GERG. I BEG you. Put in JB Fitzgerald. Or at least let him split snaps evenly. Obi Ezeh, despite his experience, just cant play pass coverage
OLB: Craig Roh
NT: Mike Martin
DE: This one's tricky. I've heard alot of talk of Van Bergen moving to DE and Campbell starting at DT, but ultimately I think Will Heininger gets a shot at the job too.
DT: Campbell/Van Bergen

LT: Dorrestein/Huyge
LG: Schilling
C: Molk
RG: Omameh
RT: Dorrestein/Huyge
TE: Koger
WR: Stonum
WR: Hemingway
Slot: Roundtree!
QB: Forcier/Robinson
RB: Smith/Shaw

The obvious excitement of this is only one freshman/RS freshman starting on EITHER side of the ball. Any thoughts?

all the coaches, the seniors, and the underclassmen. They all are and forever will be true Michigan Men.

I have been weeping periodically ever since the game ended. My girlfriend has repeatedly tried to comfort me with a very confused expression on her face (the world of college football is still pretty alien to her, despite my educational efforts). The seniors (and everyone else for that matter) on this team deserve all the praise in the world. I feel so bad for the guys who laid everything on the line for this team, this school, and fans like me, but who haven't gotten the rewards they deserve for their efforts.

I love this team, and I hope that these players realize that the bright future we have to look forward to would not be possible without their sacrifices and effort.

Word

They did their best. They're just not talented enough.

Yet.

We'll be back.

First of all, I was heartbroken that we lost the way we did. But it took many self-inflicted wounds on offense for TUOOS to win this game. In spite of the fact that the average age of our starters on offense today was likely 20 or less.....there were many signs that very encouraging moving forward. Even more important...in the face of some very questionable non-calls in the first half, multiple turnovers, and missed scoring opportunities....we did not fold. The defense held strong in the face of all of this adversity. This team leaped forward a year in maturity today. My congratulations to all the members of the team and a special thanks to the Seniors who helped to provide the leadership and maturity that likely helped this team to turn the corner today and moving forward. Today, although disappointing, was well worth the 10 hours travel time. The TUOOS fans with the We Love RR sign in the stands will probably not feel so warmly in the very near future. Good show gentlemen...a new dawn approaches. Go Blue.

I'm still looking forward to next year. I hope this game showed that this team/coaching staff will get it done. It just felt like we made errors that were because of our youth. I mean we have Tate throwing to Roundtree and Smith looking pretty damn good at RB. Those are all freshmen. Give this team time. Last year the offense was so bad the D got warn down, this year the D was so bad for much of the year that the O didn't have the ball enough and we had way too many turnovers - 5 against Iowa and OSU suckeyes. If you watched the game, these were NOT random occurances and were due to a few poor decisions from Tate. He'll get better - no question about it. I'm sad that I now have to look forward to signing day and then the spring game...time flies and I'm more determined to stick with our coaches and can't wait until we start winning the Big Ten again. I feel like we hit Alt-Cntrl-Delete on Michigan Fandome...we no longer will take things for granted. Stay positive guys and we'll be back. We'll show the class-less OSU fans who the leaders and best are soon enough.

today (a buckeye fan) and he said after the game today that in his opinion OSU has one more year of likely success against us and after that he thinks all bet are off. Even the opposition can see what we are building toward and that progress is being made.