Turnaround in Ann Arbor

Submitted by Cold War on

The Wolverines 2014 season has had its share of ups and downs, but the upswing in events of late is bringing the feel of a turnaround to Ann Arbor.



Off the field issues and opposition to Coach Hoke, the staff and athletic director Dave Brandon seem to be fizzling out. A threatened boycott of the PSU kickoff in the student section was a resounding failure. Many observers said it was the fullest they had seen the student section at kickoff all year. The Morris controversy is fading as the media moves on to the next shiny object. Varsity coaches and student athletes continue to express overwhelming support for Brandon and the job he has done upgrading the facilities and athletic program in general. And another outstanding recruiting class is quietly being assembled, threatened only by the uncertainty caused by the naysayers.

A disappointing start on the field is turning into an interesting campaign with the Wolverines playing emotional and competitive football. Losses to Notre Dame, Utah and Minnesota seem less catastrophic as all three opponents are proving themselves to be much stiffer competition than anyone realized. And a thrilling win over Penn State Saturday night left the team a blown call at Rutgers away from a 4-3 record and 2-1 in the B1G.

The PSU game saw the triumphant return of Devin Gardner and a stellar performance by Greg Mattison’s defense. Pessimistic predictions of a 3-9 or 4-8 campaign have faded as Michigan looks forward to three very winnable games with Indiana, Northwestern, and Maryland, while there are whispers of Sparty and Ohio suddenly being on upset alert.

Stay tuned to Team 135 and the rest of the season. There is a lot of football to be played.

 

Tater

October 16th, 2014 at 5:41 PM ^

I think BiSB is much closer to the reality of this season than the OP.  I would love to buy into this team's chances again, but the offense is so predictable that opposing defenses know where everyone is going to be and are able to deliver bone-crushing hits.  

Unfortuantely, it seems to apply most to QB's, who have to feel like they were transported back in time and thrown in the ring with Joe Frazier in his prime.  That doesn't bode well for the chances of Devin Gardner playing out the rest of the season in good health, nor does it bode well for the chances of whoever backs him up.

 

alum96

October 16th, 2014 at 5:46 PM ^

Just need 3 more years to get all of Hoke's guys in and we're gonna be good! 11 men on special teams EVERY TIME.   Be patient folks, as we all know it takes 7-8 years for a coach to really shine.

KSmooth

October 16th, 2014 at 6:14 PM ^

OP says: "A threatened boycott of the PSU kickoff in the student section was a resounding failure."

That is FALSE

The boycott was called off after the President made comments indicating that Brandon might be let go in the near future.  Subsequeent statements indicate that Brandon is coming under sharper scrutiny.  The boycott was far from a failure, the mere threat focused scrutiny on the AD.

Cold War

October 16th, 2014 at 6:19 PM ^

Makes no sense. The President wasn't tipping his hand, and rightfully so. A successful boycott would have just increased the pressure.If the boycott was called off it was because the organizers saw it was going to be a failure.

You Only Live Twice

October 16th, 2014 at 7:21 PM ^

We have 3 winnable games and I share your optimism.   As far as MSU/OSU... not as optimisic there, but stranger things have happened in college football. 

Nothing is ruled in.. nothing is ruled out

MotleyBlue

October 16th, 2014 at 7:29 PM ^

So you are saying you CAN shine up a turd? Winnable games against NW Maryland and Indy? This is a turnaround for Michigan? If these games are just winnable... sheesh.

It's a turnaround when we can talk about the three upcoming speed bumps on the way to the MSU and OSU games.

bjk

October 16th, 2014 at 8:17 PM ^

another outstanding recruiting class is quietly being assembled, threatened only by the uncertainty caused by the naysayers.

I'm glad we've identified the source of the problem. Were these the same "naysayers" that launched "stretchgate" and propelled Michael "do you have any idea what countable hours are" Rosenberg to his dream job at SI? (Imagine the positive vibes when M.R. was ushered into Hoke's office this past summer to interview yet another Michigan Man living the dream.)

I'm glad Michigan is back to "competitive" after only seven years of rebuilding. Lloyd must be so proud of the foundation he created for us.

umumum

October 16th, 2014 at 8:17 PM ^

a parallel universe that the OP is privy to where all of those good things he sees are a reality.

C'mon, you're just fucking with us now....aren't you?

Heteroskedastic

October 16th, 2014 at 8:16 PM ^

I didn't know it was the Blogs fault that Roseboro decommitted and everyone else is taking officials.  That is good to know.  No wonder the athletic department's has stood behind the "fake controversy" meme.  Should I buy my Rose Bowl tickets now, or wait until after the MSU and OSU games to be sure?

Livonia Wolverine

October 16th, 2014 at 8:49 PM ^

Not sure if the OP is the result of delusion or drugs. Recruiting class? WE HAVE NO FREAKING RECRUITING CLASS THEY ARE ALL VISITING ELSEWHERE!

 

There is no evidence this thing is being turned around. 

AMazinBlue

October 16th, 2014 at 10:02 PM ^

Seriously.  That team barely has a pulse.  OP (and others beating this drum) do you realize this Michigan offense has scored six TDs in five games against semi-reasonable competition. SIX!!!   MSU, OSU most likely MAryland and possibly NW are losses.  And the MSU and OSU losses will be in spectacular fashion.  THis team will be lucky to go 5-7.

The Hoke experiment will end in about 5-6 weeks.  The Brandon dictatorship should end in less than that.  This team has regressed every season that Hoke has been in charge.  Gardner is no better at QB than he was the first week he played the position.  I don't blame the player so much for this.  I put the blame squarely on the coaching staff.  This staff has not developed one player on this team to be better than they were when they came here.  Any outstanding talent is just that, talent, not coaching.

If Brandon and Hoke are still here in August of 2015, the season ticket sales will be lower and the angst within the fanbase and the students will increase and there willbe more boycotts, and negative gatherings.  For the good of the program and the reputation of the program and the university, Brandon and Hoke need to go.

SHub'68

October 16th, 2014 at 10:24 PM ^

I don't share the optimism. But, man there's a lot of potential crow for dinner in the reactions to this post! And that would be almost as enjoyable to witness as if the op's dreams were to actually come true...
But no, just no.
There, now I don't have to worry about being left out of that dinner.

might and main

October 17th, 2014 at 7:36 AM ^

the national unemployment rate is just days away from dropping to 0.0%, the national debt will be repaid by the end of the month, and everyone will get free lollipops in their Christmas stockings this year! We're back!

maize-blue

October 17th, 2014 at 9:51 AM ^

Change will happen fast when the statium seats are not full. $$$ or a decline thereof speaks the loudest and has the most influence.

jmdblue

October 17th, 2014 at 9:59 AM ^

(at this writing) 7 upvotes.... Someone still believes.  I hate Brandon and want him gone.  I really like Brady Hoke and really hoped he would be our coach for the long term.  The team, however, is a train wreck and coaching has been the reason.  Can Hoke redeem himself and save his job? maybe a 5% chance.  If he did it would almost surely mean he won out, and in the process saved his recruiting class.  IMO that would be a very good thing for all of us (although I know the board largely disagrees with this).  Can Brandon save his job?  Maybe a 25% chance based on important internal adn external pockets of support.  This would suck in a way that I find difficult to fathom (at least as far a sports go)....

JFW

October 17th, 2014 at 11:04 AM ^

I still think he's a decent guy. The loyalty he inspires in other coaches and in players is impressive. 

 

That said, the players just aren't developing the way I would expect. It would be one thing if the O line and D line were developing. Not killer, but developing. If they were showing alot more nuance and understanding of technique instead of *still* whiffing.

Well, Okay, the D line is starting to really shape up. But just now ?!?!?!

The offense is horrible. I don't see the players starting to have that 'get it' moment where you see Nuss' scheme kick in and have some success. I don't see long stretches where Devin isn't fighting for his life. The Defense is good, but sometimes I think of it as 'statistically good'. We looked good vs. PSU, but Holy Tackle Dummy Batman vs. Minnie we were terrible!

The product we are seeing on the field vs. the talent we have based on recruiting doesn't add up. The sum is lesss than the whole of the parts. And until last week, they just seemed... listless.

If it all started to click, and next week we knock off MSU, or take them right down to the wire with a well executed game and make people worry about Dantonio's heart health, *and* then we see continued progress building on that for the rest of the season, then yes. Maybe its time to stay the executioners axe. Especially considering the slim pickings out there and the danger of jumping on the coaching carousel. 

But I just don't see it happening. I see a butt kicking from MSU next week; and maybe another sloppy win or two in the works. 

flashOverride

October 17th, 2014 at 10:29 AM ^

As much as I want this team to reach down and find a way and get to a bowl and maybe finally knock off a rival along the way, I'm thinking the slight silver lining in the likely 4-8 finish (for which we'll probably be able to thank Indiana's QB issues and nothing more), other than the impending leadership changes, will hopefully be you finally going silent. Though I'm sure you'll be back with charges of how it's the students' and fans' faults.

Leatherstocking Blue

October 17th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^

I think the general consensus at the beginning of the year was, based on schedule, a not-so-good Michigan team would get no more than 4 losses, a mediocre team would have 3 losses and a team that could just get out of its own way (espeically given the OSU QB situation) could be a 2-loss team. Saying this team might have 6 losses with this weak schedule would have the faithful calling you out as a Sparty troll.

If you look at the schedule, you can still say it's possible to go 3-2 the rest of the way, but if you look at how this team has played and has been coached, you'd be hard-pressed to find a sure win remainining. No one fears Michigan and it is quite possible that any and all of the remaining teams have superior coaching.