One Inch Woody…

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!

go16blue

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

michfan6060

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.

go16blue

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.

WolvinLA2

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.  

MGoStrength

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.  

Wolverine Devotee

January 2nd, 2013 at 12:51 AM ^

100 days exactly until the Maize-Blue Spring Game on 4/13. Blue leads the series 28-26 and has a 3 year winning streak. Maize (formerly White team) hasn't ever won a spring game yet. You have to go back to 2009 when Forcier led White to a 73-32 shallacking over Blue.

Wolverine Devotee

January 2nd, 2013 at 1:15 AM ^

Every coach had their own format. Since Hoke has been here it's been Blue (2nd team offense & 1st team defense) vs Maize (1st team offense & 2nd team defense).

It really depends on depth though Michigan's last true game format was 2002. Oddly when Hoke left Michigan, the format changed to some controlled drills with some wacky point system.

Darth Wolverine

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).

LSAClassOf2000

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.

 

The FannMan

January 2nd, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^

In an odd way, this is exactly what I needed. Thanks to those leaving, but it is time to look forward.



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.