The Struggles of Traditional Football Powers

Here's some food for thought:

Texas: 5-7 (2-6) in 2010

Miami (YTM): 7-5 in 2010, 7-6 in 2008, 5-7 in 2007, 7-6 in 2006, etc

Notre Dame: lol, we all know about this one!

USC: 7-4 (4-4) in 2010, plus devastating sanctions

Florida: 7-5 (4-4) in 2010

Florida State: having a good year in 2010, but has been down a while compared to norms

Penn State: 7-5 (4-4) in 2010

Iowa: falls to 7-5 after losing to Minny today...same record as us, although better in BT play

(Yes I know Iowa is not a traditional power, but I still thought I'd throw them in here.)

I didn't even mention things like USC prior to Carrol or Bama prior to Saban. I also left out several other programs that used to be good but have really collapsed, such as Washington, etc. 

Now, I'm not trying to say that the past 3 seasons at Michigan are no big deal. What I am trying to say is that even the biggest and baddest programs take a step back every now and then. Michigan's step back has been one of the biggest. But we are slowly climbing back to what we used to be IMO, and regardless of whether or not you thought this program needed rebuilding to begin with, that is the reality now. 

This is probably the hardest time in the history of Michigan athletics to be a Michigan fan. But other programs have come out the other side, and I have faith that we will too. Keep the faith and Go Blue!