Michigan can compete with any program in the country
We dont have academic standards holding us back, or recruiting holding us back. The only thing that's been holding us back is ourselves.
Coach Harbaugh has found the right combo of players and coaches to take us to where we could always go. Big hand to everyone on on staff and the team for all the work they put in this year not to mention Harbaugh making the tough decisions to retool his staff. Whatever they do from now they still go down as one of the greatest Michigan teams in our lifetimes. But like Harbaugh said "It just feels like the beginning".
As James Earl Jones says and it finally works: "We believe in....CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL"
December 5th, 2021 at 9:11 AM ^
I want you to bow down and kiss Harbaughs championship ring.
Only because I love you
And because you were so wrong
But I still love you
Hail to the Victors and Go Blue!
December 5th, 2021 at 10:09 AM ^
I'll go full on South Park Jesse Jackson
December 5th, 2021 at 9:12 AM ^
Here’s hoping. I was content after the buckeye game and will be if we lose in the semis. On paper we should never have been where we are and I’ll take it.
December 5th, 2021 at 4:02 PM ^
I was content after the Buckeyes...for about 24 hours. Then I realized how thoroughly disappointing it would've been to come so far only to see them lose to a team that is not UM's equal. And not get the conference title. No, the win last night was needed. Now, what I want is at least a close game they have a chance to win.
24 hours from now, I'll probably want the win over Georgia to prove that Michigan belongs there with the others at the top of the sport.
December 5th, 2021 at 9:12 AM ^
This year has been special. Looking at the two SEC Deathstars in front of us, it's hard to imagine us getting through both of them, but it was next to impossible for us to get through OSU.
I think a lot of this is perception vs reality. Alabama has looked shaky at times this year. Georgia really hasn't had the type of schedule Michigan had to endure and that showed when they played Alabama. If you put a Wisconsin or Penn St. uniform on those teams, we would look at them differently. It's all perception.
The team that gives me pause is Cinti. They are fast, quick, well coached, but small. I think Cinti is the team that would give Michigan the biggest problems. We match up well vs. Georgia and Alabama. Depends on which Alabama shows up.
I think Michigan is sound enough to do real damage in this playoff.
I'm really hoping for Harbaugh's sake that Michigan does well. Harbaugh deserves that. It's been a rough couple of years for him and this vindication will right the ship.
December 5th, 2021 at 9:17 AM ^
Being able to execute at a high level is the great equalizer. Michigan has been doing that this year when it has counted (sans MSU game).
December 5th, 2021 at 9:34 AM ^
I think the ship is already righted. What he's done this year (going from unranked to B1G Champions and CFP) will pay dividends in recruits, etc. Winning begets winning.
December 5th, 2021 at 9:43 AM ^
Absolutely. I hope all us fans remember that if things don’t work out in game 1. What Harbaugh has done with a team that, on paper, has 1/2 the talent of either team we may face is a coach of the year performance. Cincy was the team I felt we would play all along and that game scared me. If I’m a Bama fan I’d be concerned about those little bastards. As a Michigan fan I’m smiling no matter what happens against Georgia. In my best cousin Eddie voice, “just glad to be here”!!!
December 5th, 2021 at 10:47 AM ^
This team eats "deathstars" for breakfast.
December 5th, 2021 at 9:16 AM ^
On this Sunday after our redemption, have you asked the blog for forgiveness?
December 5th, 2021 at 10:10 AM ^
I did after OSU
December 5th, 2021 at 9:19 AM ^
No, we do have barriers and let's not kid ourselves here. Note that I'm not a fair weather fan that wanted to fire Harbaugh...
We do have academic and recruiting barriers. If you say we don't, then you aren't paying attention.
That being said, I do hope we reap the recruiting benefits of our current winnings.
Let's hope we can keep this staff together. Yes, this staff with Gattis who many of you wanted fired.
December 5th, 2021 at 9:31 AM ^
This. I agree but Harbaugh that worked. It does not mean we don't have barriers. Leaders overcome that and glad we get to witness it.
December 5th, 2021 at 9:34 AM ^
The play calling has gotten a lot better.
December 5th, 2021 at 9:41 AM ^
That is not the same as all your and other posts saying "Michigan CANT compete with top teams due to barriers".
Also the definition of a barrier is "a fence or other obstacle that PREVENTS movement or access". We were not prevented from doing anything.
December 5th, 2021 at 10:39 AM ^
The undergrad credits / transfer portal thing is a barrier. It's not insurmountable but it is the new reality of college football and collegiate athletics and I want Michigan to compete and adapt. Heck, coach Harbaugh pushed for the one time transfer with no wait time because he recognized it was better for players.
Other then that, agree with the post.
December 5th, 2021 at 11:02 AM ^
That would make it an obstacle to be worked around, not a barrier.
December 5th, 2021 at 12:02 PM ^
You literally said a couple posts above that the definition of barrier includes obstacle. If you really want to delve into definitions I'd point out that in HSE fields, there is a difference between soft and hard barriers. 
December 5th, 2021 at 9:22 AM ^
You have been trashing Harbaugh for years. I am so glad Manuel and Michigan are far smarter and more insightful than you!
December 5th, 2021 at 9:24 AM ^
Oh- and it sure was fun decimating your favorite team last week! 59-51-6
December 5th, 2021 at 10:06 AM ^
Youre weird
December 5th, 2021 at 9:33 AM ^
Thanks for calling out OP. He has been negative and I remember him/her being negative throughout the season. Now claiming we have no barriers is not accurate. We overcame the barriers. Regardless, we are going to embrace every fan, including our dead OP. Edit: Dear not dead. Sorry OP.
December 5th, 2021 at 9:36 AM ^
I think Michigan already beat the best team in the nation, truthfully. While it may seem hard to get up like that again, we just won a hangover game 42-3.
On paper, it’s Georgia and Alabama. Those names have been sung and praised all year. I just get the feeling that we’re the most complete team in college football this year, kinda like the Pistons being better than the Lakers godteam in the early 2,000s.
Best part…we get to find out. It’s not something we have to speculate and wonder. Go Blue!
December 5th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
The barriers exist - but good players can beat them.
UC is the team that also worries me, mostly because I don't know much about them, but also because the seem like a team that runs some 'college crappe'. That has hurt MacDonald in a couple of games. May not be true - I don't know. But it seems to me that Fickell is running a college offense rather than a more pro style. MacDonald can absolutely beat a pro offense...
Georgia no longer bothers me. Not saying it's an easy win (or even a win), but they never really impressed me as a dynamic offense. I thought a few weeks ago that UM would match up well with UGA (and got derided for it!). After seeing one WR obliterate that secondary, I'm not really worried about them. Bama... Another story, but UM had them on the ropes in 2019, except that Shea couldn't hit anything beyond 5 yards. And their OL has been a sieve most of the year.
Regardless, I don't really care what happens on New Years. Its going to be a GREAT night!! I know Michigan will show up to play - ready, prepared, great game plan. If they go down, the opponent will KNOW that it won a hard game to win, and it will deserve its place in the finale.
GO BLUE!!!! It's All gravy from here out...
December 5th, 2021 at 9:56 AM ^
Very good points. Cincinnati is good. Their QB can scramble good. I don't think he is as good as what JJ can do. He has some good receivers. Overall, if a top team plays mistake free, then it will be tough for Cincinnati to overcome the talent difference. They beat ND behind turnover differential.
Bama and Georgia -- spot on. We have a good chance.
December 5th, 2021 at 9:57 AM ^
Read on ESPN this morning that AL WR Metchie likely tore his ACL and is out for the remainder. Bama does reload quickly but I think that is huge for then next few games. Bama and UGA are beatable.
Go BLUE!
December 5th, 2021 at 9:51 AM ^
After watching last night's drubbing of Iowa and the smack down of the buckeyes the week before my answer is: HAIL YES!!
This team has risen to the 1997 level of play-a complete team so why not?
December 5th, 2021 at 10:13 AM ^
Like everyone else, just enjoying and savoring this year.
So want the National Championship, and I think we can compete.
But realistically, this team is built to MAINTAIN a lead. It isn't built to play catch-up. And unfortunately I think that's what we're going to see from here on in.
December 5th, 2021 at 10:33 AM ^
Watching the SEC championship game I felt like UGA is beatable. Their offense is mediocre, Bennett through two awful picks costing them 7-14 pts. However, I’m not sure how many points we’d put up given that Bama did most of the damage through the air (until their last drive). I’d expect a low scoring win
if Bama played like they did yesterday I have to say it would be an L. If they played like they did in the Iron Bowl it’s a W.
haven’t seen Cinn play so don’t have any opinion about that matchup
December 5th, 2021 at 11:34 AM ^
It’s a foregone conclusion that we’ll play Georgia. I think we matchup well and if we lose it’s going to be assumed we were supposed to. I’m seeing opening lines of over 8 points. I never wanted to play Cincy. Win and we we beat up a team that shouldn’t have been there. Lose and we’re the laughing stock of college football. Georgia is already chalking up a win against us, but so did OSU.