Stay the Course!!

Submitted by UMichinCA on

All prognostications called for anywhere from a 7-5 to 9-3 season.  We're still there.  We just need to win the games we're supposed to win.

We have very winnable games left in Purdue, Illinois, and Penn State which would still give us 8-4.

Maybe this team grows up a little through the year and we steal another to go 9-3.

All those goals are still attainable.  No need for a meltdown.  Just get ready for next week.

deadlift425

October 9th, 2010 at 8:28 PM ^

This game shows us the mistakes we need to improve on(catching and tackling fundamentals, reads).  Next week is about how we deal with adversity. 



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Snidely Doo Rash

October 9th, 2010 at 8:28 PM ^

Meltdown's generally don't help.  Rich Rod needs to regroup as team and staff got their ass kicked.  Don't understand not going for it on 4th especially after defense failed to bring much intensity.  I think they meant well but lost focus.  Millen's read the game content was on the money.  

WolverineEagle

October 9th, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^

Worst loss to MSU since 1967.
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<br> Yes, there is plenty of season left, but this game makes me wonder if another collapse is on the way.
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<br>This team is at a crossroads.
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UMichinCA

October 9th, 2010 at 8:41 PM ^

I think the defense stepped up and played relatively well today, all things considered.  Unfortunately they didn't have the benefit of the relatively mistake-free offense we've enjoyed previously this season.

If the defense can continue to improve and become consistent and the offense can return to the explosiveness we saw the last several weeks, I think this team will be fine down the stretch.

Not expecting undefeated.  That's not what this season was ever about.  It is about getting back into the race.  those extra practices in the bowl season will be invaluable to  such a young team.

jayman065

October 9th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^

I kinda agree, I found the defense encourage.  Sure the LB play is still infuriating!! And the Coverage is still atrocious….. BUT, they came out and played aggressive.  State didn’t march up and down the field on us (sure there were some big plays), but we did force some punts, and the defense gave our offense to get us back in the game.  Our D isn’t going to win any games for us, they are bad, but they gave our offense a chance today to go out and win the game.  At this point, I think that is about all we can ask for.  

If the D does what it did today, that gives us a chance to beat anyone if the offense is clicking!

NateVolk

October 9th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^

Whoever gave you a negative point isn't in tuned with reality.

I love this team, but this program hasn't put it together and won against a physical good Big Ten team in 3 years.   I don't need to have any validation from any particular game, but this Michigan has an opportunity to turn some heads next week against  a tough Iowa team.   It needs to put the plays together and score like it can.

Bottom line: a traction conference win is what this program needs most right now.  

SixWingedAngel

October 9th, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^

Regardless of what may come, you are being too pessimistic.  We also saw some really promising developments in this game.  Yes, we also saw a ridiculous, make-you-want-to-rake-your-eyes-out loss to Sparty, but we had some cause for hope.  There were always going to be stumbles, you just have to hope that the coaches can help the players learn from this and maybe get the most that they can from the kids they are coaching.

BlueUPer

October 9th, 2010 at 8:53 PM ^

I am more worried about Illinois than I am about Iowa!  I know this may sound crazy but I still think all of our remaining games are winnable!  Today there was a ton of pressure on some very young guys!!  Next week we assume the underdog role again and that is where we can be most dangerous!   So, if Martin isn't injured and some of our young guys buck up and soak up the Barwisdom..... we will be fine!

varsity

October 9th, 2010 at 8:43 PM ^

as much as this games sucks, the big picture is that state is as good as they are gonna be--this is about their ceiling.  michigan has work to do on both sides of the ball before we get the full potential of this program.

ituralde

October 9th, 2010 at 8:52 PM ^

But we knew that already. 

Game was a lot closer than the free 21 points we spotted them by turning the ball over. 

This team can and will grow from this. Plus, Sparty has been playing well - at the end of the season, other than rivalrywise, this loss might not look even that bad. 

Here's to a victory against Iowa. 

ixcuincle

October 9th, 2010 at 8:58 PM ^

Just win 4 more games. All those games against the bottom feeders are winnable.

As for Illinois, they looked decent the last 2 weeks, so hopefully Mich takes care of business against them.

bronxblue

October 9th, 2010 at 9:02 PM ^

I agree with beating the teams down the schedule.  Illinois scares me, but then again this offense is still capable of putting up points and I really think it will show up next week against Iowa.  Win one of these games, and the confidence will be back.  MSU played a very good game today, and deserved to win. I still expect this club to perform well and win a couple of games.

IPFW_Wolverines

October 9th, 2010 at 9:03 PM ^

so the sky isn't falling? After reading various message boards I was sure that the only reasonable solution was for Michigan to disband the football program. 

I guess the sky is safe for one more day!

NinjaDMM

October 9th, 2010 at 9:09 PM ^

I am seriously betting my house next week... Iowa is not going to know what hit them... It took the worst day by Denard for us to lose this game... Denard is going to have a HUGE day next week

jml969

October 9th, 2010 at 11:14 PM ^

Sitting in the stands today- it was obvious- We got out played. Yes, Shoelace and a number  of others didn't play well but give Sparty credit. We learn from our mistakes , fix them and move on. That's what leaders and the best do. 

Durham Blue

October 9th, 2010 at 9:17 PM ^

they capitalized on our offensive mistakes.  They're a good team this year.  If they get past Iowa, they could go undefeated, which is insane but a very real possibility.

 

We just need to put this in the past and focus on Iowa.  After Iowa we've got three very winnable games.  If we can garner some momentum from those games then all bets are off against Wisconsin and OSU.

jmblue

October 9th, 2010 at 9:24 PM ^

I'm definitely still in RR's corner, but I do want to see progress on the defensive side of the ball.  The LB play simply has to get better.  I don't know, maybe GERG the DC needs to fire GERG the LB coach. 

SixWingedAngel

October 9th, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^

We wouldn't necessarily be stealing a win from anyone.  This team definitely has a puncher's chance in any game, they just need to learn how to deal with adversity, and hopefully they will learn some of that from this loss.

Those who stay will be Champions.

jayman065

October 9th, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^

Like everyone says in this post, its not time to panic.... not yet anyway.   Our offensive will never have the luxary of falling back on our defence.  The offense had a bad day, we lose, pretty simple.  However, this is the first off game the offense has had.  I cant imagine Denard staying contained for too long.  Look for the offense to come out hungry next week.

HeismanPose

October 9th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^

This offense works.  They got bottled up today by an experienced, well coached team that threw our young QB off his game. It happens.  This is a good system and a solid defense will come.  Our coach is a good guy who cares, knows how to develop talent, and is recruiting on a national level.  Football is tough and good teams lose.  Bama looked unstoppable 7 days ago and got creamed today.   

STAY. THE. COURSE.  Recalibrate.  Beat Iowa next week.  Get 8-9 wins.  Play up for Ohio State.  This is a 4-5 year plan, and we're on track.  Get behind Denard.  Kid played his heart out.  

KAYSHIN15

October 9th, 2010 at 10:47 PM ^

How quickly do we forget the attrition that has taken place with the UM Defense since RR got there. From injuries to recruiting hiccups. Has anyone wondered why we have so many "feel good" stories about players beating the odds and starting for our beloved program on D?Bottom line is we have one of the slowest and most unathletic Defenses in CFB and deep down we knew if Denard had a bad game, this would be the result.If Denard is who we think he is, then we should be in good shape against Iowa. lets stay calm and ride this thing out and hopefully when the dust settles, we will be at least 8-4. Go Blue!!

michiganmark

October 9th, 2010 at 10:47 PM ^

I certainly hope most of you are right.  To me, this looks like a complete disaster.  Being 0 for whatever against Sparty in the early/mid 60s when they were kings of the college football world was one thing.  Being 0-3 against Sparties that seem to finish 7-6 each year (this year they're better, I admit) is unacceptable.  This is SPARTY we're talking about, not OSU, Nebraska, etc.  I know we're young.  I know we've had bad breaks.  But I also know in my marrow that we're supposed to beat Sparty:  it's like breathing -- when it doesn't happen, I panic.  Death, taxes, beating Sparty -- constants in life.  Sigh.

Anyway - I hope you're all correct and this team will regroup.  Until I see that happen, I fear an end not unlike last year's.  This is eerily similar.

Go Blue!

UMichinCA

October 10th, 2010 at 12:05 PM ^

Not "what it has come to," rather what it has always been..."for this year" being the key phrase.  This was never intended to be a perpetual state of being, just progress toward 2011 and 2012 when we should have even more pieces in place to really do some damage in the conference and nationally.

I fully expect every Michigan fan to be disappointed with 8 or 9 wins after this year, but the team is still in transition and there is little we can do about it so why jump off the bridge because of one loss, which hardly prevents this team from reaching the expected potential of 8 or 9 wins?