January 2nd, 2013 at 12:04 AM ^
Next year will be our year! The year with O-line and D-line depth (knock on wood) and some talented youngsters starting to contribute, not to mention the return of Touissant and Countess and a senior Gardner, Q Wash, Gallon, Dileo, and Schofield. I'm excited for the future, and although this season wasn't as magical as we had hoped, it was a fun ride and I'm glad to see that we played a close bowl game and were a sack away from winning.
Go blue forever!
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:40 AM ^
It's kind of weird but I've been excited for 2014 for a while now. Hoke's first couple of classes will be contributing at that point with great depth and talent across the board, and with either a 5th year senior or 5 star qb starting we really ought to make a NC run. But next year will also be a lot of fun. Love the direction this team is going in
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:51 AM ^
But, and/or a 5-Star QB.
Isn't life grand?
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:04 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:27 AM ^
He's a lock for a medical redshirt. He'll be listed as a RS Soph next fall.
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:47 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:05 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:07 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:08 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:10 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:13 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:25 AM ^
Well, you won't have to worry about the NCAA hockey tournament this year...
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:11 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:12 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:12 AM ^
Must. Learn. To. Care. About. Basketball.
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:25 AM ^
That sounds so far away. Thank goodness we're good again in basketball. That will help.
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:30 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:30 AM ^
I'm really worried about next year. Oline could be scary and not scary good and if Fitz isn't back to 100% and we don't get Green I don't see us having a running game. The good news is I think the passing game should be ok and the defense should be improved.
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:43 AM ^
Our OL had a great day run blocking today in traditional under center looks against a great run defense. If that's a sign of actual progress and not a fluke, they should be primed for a good year next year, both with the benefit of offseason coaching and personell actually fit for drive blocking for once.
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:43 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:50 AM ^
Our OL will be just as good next year as this year I think. And if Fitz can't go, one of Rawls, Hayes, Drake Johnson or Deveon Smith will be solid, assuming no Derrick Green.
As you touched on, our passing game will be much better. A big reason our running game never took off this year was because there was never a legit passing threat for the D to focus on.
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:16 AM ^
I'm excited because I think our defense will only continue to get better and I'm very excited to see what Gardner can do with a full season and Funchess can do with more playing time. I agree that our o-line will be just as good next year but...that ain't that good. I think we have potential to be better, but we will be young. So, that concerns me. I also don't think Fitz will be 100% next year. I broke my leg similar to his and I wasn't the same for a good 1.5 years...we are expecting him to be 100% in 10 months. While I think he'll play and contribute I'd be surprised if he gets 1000 yards for example. I'm not sold on Rawls, I haven't seen Johnson. I think Deveon Smith and Hayes can play, but both are unproven. Green would be a huge help, but that hasn't happened yet. I have also have concerns about our recieving core. Gallon and Dileo will be servicable but we need a deep play threat. Can Darboh/Chesson provide that...idk. We still have no pash rushing d-lineman so when we play teams with a good o-line can we get pressure without blitzing?
So, I'm excited, I think we are steadily improving, but we won't be anywhere near ready to compete for a NC for another 2-3 years IMO. Does anyone really think we can play with Alabama, LSU, Florida, FSU, Oregon next year? I wouldn't be confident in a matchup against any of those teams. I'm hoping we win the division and get to 9 wins in the regular season. My focus is on beating NW, MSU, Neb, and OSU. And, in case anyone hasn't noticed Northwestern is gonna be good next year, ND will be good again, we travel to PSU (less worried due to the QB situation) MSU and Nebraska bring back a lot, OSU will be good, The schedule is better than this year with more of our tough matchups at home, but it's not cake walk.
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:49 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:32 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:35 AM ^
How many more days til Derrick Green commits?
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:06 PM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:38 AM ^
It started already!!
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:39 AM ^
was so good it left me wanting more. This sux
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:48 AM ^
I'm drinking beer and listening to Ben Harper
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:51 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:01 AM ^
Is one of them the first string and one the second string, or is it just random?
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:15 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:26 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:58 AM ^
and when they finally get to September it seems like it's over like that. Such is life....oh wait, I can haz basketball??????
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:29 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:50 AM ^
I am a patient man.
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:06 AM ^
You must be a European! I am not a patient woman. I get mad when the internet does not immediately pop up and/or is running slow, and I am wanting MOAR Michigan football Now!!!! Do pass on your strategies for being patient. I keep thinking, Devin to Gallon....Devin to Gallon....
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:04 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:49 AM ^
Damn, I forgot about these. Sad, big numbers.
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:04 AM ^
Well, it is now year three of the Hoke era and I fully expect at least a Legends Division trophy and hence a spot in the conference title game (presumably against Ohio...and that is going to happen a lot going forward, at least until PSU and Wisconsin get on track).
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:03 PM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
triple digit offseason numbers gives me the sad
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
It seems like August 31st is years away, and yet, it is not.
I am proud of Team 133, proud of the seniors and those who will return as members of Team 134. Congratulations to them on this season, and to those who will be graduating, congratulations on completing your time at Michigan and being part of the winningest program in college football.
January 2nd, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^
I am excited to see what Devin can do knowing he is the Man at QB all year. I also look forward to at least one of the young guns at WR to step up. The OL should be talented, but young. Speedy recovery for Countess and Fitz - we will need those guys.
January 2nd, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:16 PM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:02 PM ^