This isn't the first time Michigan has had to rebound

Submitted by PeteM on September 24th, 2019 at 6:11 PM

I'm old enough to have attended the 1980 loss to a South Carolina team featuring George Rogers who at the time seemed as dominant as Jonathan Taylor.  The final score wasn't nearly as bad as Saturday's, but being there nearly 40 years ago the outcome felt nearly as inevitable at times.  That Michigan team ended up winning Bo's first Rose Bowl.  I've seen Michigan bounce back from other disappointing losses too numerous to mention -- both rivalry losses in 2015, Illinois in 1999, Oregon in 2007, Iowa in 2002 etc.  Anyway, this article suggests that the team realizes that the season is not over, and history suggests that that may be true.

https://www.michigandaily.com/section/football/%E2%80%98don%E2%80%99t-let-one-loss-turn-two%E2%80%99-michigan-hopes-rebound-saturday%E2%80%99s-beatdown

M-Dog

September 24th, 2019 at 8:28 PM ^

1988 started 0-2 with close losses to Miami and Notre Dame . . . but then beat Ohio State, won the Big Ten, and won the Rose Bowl.

Which is pointless to this discussion, since they looked like a championship-level team even while losing early in the season.  Nothing like the current team, which you are not entirely sure won't struggle with Rutgers. 

I just wanted to talk about the 1988 team which is one of my favorite teams ever.

 

Coach Nero

September 24th, 2019 at 10:34 PM ^

My senior year. We were up 30-14 with 6 minutes left. They score a TD and 2 pt conversion. Then another TD and failed going for two. Then got an onside kick and Carlos Huerta kicked a FG. Probably the worst loss I saw while a student. We were dominating until the last 6 minutes.

lilpenny1316

September 24th, 2019 at 8:43 PM ^

I feel like this post should be accompanied by yet another hype video with grainy SD video of happier times.

All those teams mentioned (minus 1980) ended their season in the Capital One Bowl (aka Lloyd Carr Invitational).  That is a disappointment considering this was the year to finally catch OSU and get to Indy.

BlueMk1690

September 24th, 2019 at 8:56 PM ^

I think it's very possible we rebound..to finish 8-4..which is really not that bad. Just treat the bowl like a real game and try to make it 9-4. That's not a terrible year. Sure, below what people hoped for, but enough to not have things go into a tailspin.

Ezekiels Creatures

September 24th, 2019 at 10:07 PM ^

Um, George Rogers was better than Jonathan Taylor. he didn't "seem" to be that.

 

And you're looking for a rebound? I'm already looking for other things to do. Like Friday night, Penn St vs Maryland. Man, promises to be a great one.

 

Michigan vs Rutgers, what if it's a close one?

Then next week, Michigan vs Iowa... well..... what else is going on.. hey!

Same day, Ohio St vs Michigan St.

Week after that, Michigan St vs Wisconsin. Michigan St has a real defense. So it could be close. Then there's Pnn St vs Iowa. Might be good. Then Oklahoma vs Texas. Might be a real fight! Also, USC vs Notre Dame.  Oh yeah, Michigan @ Illinois. Who would have ever thought we would have to fear Michigan losing to Brandon Peters at Illinois? Michigan will likely be unranked then. So, maybe.

 

You get my point.

MGoBlue96

September 25th, 2019 at 12:57 PM ^

Yeah, I really don't get why people hold that bowl win in such high regard. I mean it was nice end to an otherwise awful year, but that was by far Meyers' worst team at Florida with an awful defense. That bowl win does not make up for the embarrassment of the first two games, plus another loss to OSU to end the year.

Don

September 25th, 2019 at 5:34 AM ^

This team is nothing like 1980's team, and the loss to Wisconsin is not remotely comparable to either the South Carolina loss or the ND loss the week before.

nickelsarcade

September 25th, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^

I am concerned about BPONE bleeding into real life and having some adverse effect on Harbs. He's done a good job - we were one game away from playoffs in 2016-2017, and had a great year last year (despite OSU). We are 3-1 against PSU, 2-2 against MSU, and 2-2 versus Wisconsin (all good teams). Sure, we haven't gotten over OSU yet, but they also were a perennial top 5 team the years before he started. Things take time. We will be fine.