Next season
I really want to avoid having this tin in to a discussion of Hoke, Borges, Funk or coaching change. For purposes of that goal, lets just assume that next year we will be coached by hoke, mattison, and a middle of the road, manball-oriented, u exciting but fairy competent offensive staff. Basically, the best case Borges.
So, why are you positive on next season?
Here's my attempt:
1. The D has been pretty good this year. Given how many drives opponents have, you can argue that the d has been very good. There have been periods of inconsistency, but that is to be excepted of such a young team. The good news is that just about the entire D should be back. All a year older and stronger and more experiences. Also, next year some of our big 2011 / 2912 recruits should be ready to contribute significantly.
2. WR position. Yes we lose our best receiver in gallon, but man am I excited to see funchess as an Older, more refined received. He is going to be such a dominant force. Add in Chesson (who has steadily improved throughout the season and has a ton of upside), Darboh (who had a ton a preseason hype) and some f the incoming players and this skill group should be really strong for us.
3. TE. Butt is contributing well as a true freshman at a tough position for a true freshman to play. Given another year to grow and develop, he is going to be very good.
4. Devin, the run game and the OL. Here's my thinking. We lose Lewan and scoffield. So we should be worse, right. Guess what? That would be impossible. We literally cannot be worse on this front. At worst, we are the same, but if there is even a slight improvement in the line, we could be significantly better on offense.
Thoughts? Opinions?
November 11th, 2013 at 9:49 AM ^
Top 5 DT. 70th ranked player overall.
November 11th, 2013 at 7:11 PM ^
I guess time will tell on the ranking then since I have access one ranking system. But, Poggi does not carry the same size (315lbs vs 260lbs) and scouts seem to think Mone is already at his physical cieling and has the size and strength to contribute early. I never heard that about Poggi.
November 10th, 2013 at 9:05 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 4:14 PM ^
Just an idea. I'm sure it will spark some conversation here.
November 10th, 2013 at 4:38 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 4:42 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 4:57 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 5:33 PM ^
I'm sure Hoke is terribly worried about getting your respect back. There is no chance of them sticking Morris in there to get killed behind a bad oline. Remember David Carr. You don't do that to a young QB at any level.
November 10th, 2013 at 7:07 PM ^
He is too dynamic of a player to not have the ball in his hands as often as possible. He has made strides in recent weeks with cutting down on turnovers, and last I checked has accounted for 20+ touchdowns this year (something he wouldn't be able to do at WR).
Do people not understand that Devin has not even started two full years yet at QB? He will most likely make significant improvements next year to become a more consistent player. He does need to learn to throw the ball away more, but that is not something that can not be improved on. To throw him under the bus in not even his second full year when he has no running game to support him, is being coached by a predictable OC and is playing behind an awful o-line is borderline ridiculous.
Also his mobility has created alot of plays out of nothing this year (though it has created some negative ones as well). Those positive plays made out of nothing would not have occured with a less mobile QB back there.
Morris will get his shot in 2015, UM doesn't need to throw another inexperienced QB out there. That has happened far too often in recent years.
November 10th, 2013 at 4:26 PM ^
How many times have we been saying this to ourselves? That next year is going to be "our year?" A lot of coaches have done more with less in a shorter timespan. I don't see any excuses left on the table anymore.
November 10th, 2013 at 4:36 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 4:44 PM ^
I don't see us winning a big ten title with either of those guys as members of our staff. Their respective units have gotten progressively worse each year since they've been here.
November 10th, 2013 at 4:54 PM ^
Remember we are only 2 weeks removed from the best offensive performance in school history. (Halfway joking but really)
Oddly enough UM has had 1 season in the past 6 years where both the QB and OC both returned
November 10th, 2013 at 6:33 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 5:55 PM ^
Well, until we get Saban, Meyer, Harbaugh, or another notable high profile proven coach we will continue to say it. Or until our current eventually gets us there.
November 10th, 2013 at 4:29 PM ^
I am optimistic for next year though we will need some competent offensive coaches. The defense should take a step forward. In fact we may be similar to MSU though again depending on if we make a change and on who we get we will have talent on the offensive side of the ball.
There is a foundation here we just need the right people on the bus in terms of coaches to activate it.
Regardless, I'll still be in Evanston next weekend largely because I live in Lincoln Park and my friend is planning on coming into town to watch the game with me.
November 10th, 2013 at 4:30 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 4:46 PM ^
From what I saw yesterday, tackle in this offense is the easiest spot to pick up. Guards are constantly pulling and trying to target the correct guy. This year of experience should really help.
Losing Gallon, Dileo, and Fitz isn't great, but we have the next guy up identified. The b10 once went 6 straight years with only senior QBs going to the Rose Bowl. Having a 5th year returning QB is a HUGE deal.
November 10th, 2013 at 9:12 PM ^
November 11th, 2013 at 1:09 AM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 9:26 PM ^
none of those returning olinemen for 2014 look like they should be starting right now. Maybe the light comes on for a couple of them between now and September next year, but to me UM's oline prospects don't look that good for next year.
November 10th, 2013 at 4:40 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 4:51 PM ^
I agree with a new DB coach as well.. People think mallory is good, but he came from IU where his dad or brother coaches, and the secondary has continually gotten worse year to year..
November 10th, 2013 at 5:42 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 10:34 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 4:43 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 4:49 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 6:33 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 4:55 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 5:26 PM ^
Pain.
November 10th, 2013 at 5:38 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 6:21 PM ^
Who cares about the skill positions you mentioned. How about the OL and DL?!? Can't do anything else if they suck. And they do. No reason to think they'll get better with Borges, Funk, and to a lesser degree Fred Jackson around. (Why can't the RBs pickup a blitz?)
Have you looked at next year's schedule? We'll be lucky to win 6-7 games. The home slate of games is also terrible and includes the Horror part II. It's possible that we'll barely get to 100,000 in attendance for some home games next year.
November 10th, 2013 at 6:50 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 7:26 PM ^
November 11th, 2013 at 1:03 AM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 7:54 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 8:07 PM ^
I will always wear Mich stuff. I will always support the school and my team.
I know my limits...but I will not, because a team doesn't live up to my expectations, quit. I love Mich and bleed maize and blue.
If you stop donating, rooting, going to games because they aren't the best team in the world. Fine, that's your choice, but loyalty wins for me. I know where that stands, with the school I grew up with and the school I graduated from.
I am excited every year. No matter what. Football and basketball. My M flag flies high in front of my house. I don't care if you like it...
Go blue!
November 10th, 2013 at 10:30 PM ^
You don't want to wear it, fine. See you later bandwagonites.
November 10th, 2013 at 10:34 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 8:08 PM ^
I'm not saying either way...but winning cures all.
Stop listening to Whitlock and the other talking heads that think they know all the answers...
Form your own opinions.
November 10th, 2013 at 9:01 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 9:26 PM ^
Just cuz you get 5 star recruits doesn't mean you going to be great...
Coaching has something to do with it...but a coach can yell and scream for days...IT STILL HAS TO BE EXECUTED!
It's a combination of both. You cannot blame the coaching staff for everything.
November 10th, 2013 at 9:40 PM ^
A kicker misses a game-winning field goal, that's something I wouldn't blame a coach for. Players across the board looking helpless and failing to execute the simplest of things week after week? That's on coaching.
November 10th, 2013 at 10:46 PM ^
Blame that one whoever you want. Listen...we could be Florida.
Hoke is fine. He didn't do a good job...this year. Carr has rough years too. 7 of his 13 years coaching he had 9 or less wins. 7-5 in 2005.
Personally I think it's an offensive thing. Borges issue. But that's me...
Defensively...I think the players just aren't very good. Overrated. We need to recruit our system. Dantonio has done a great job with this. He has players that 'buy in'. We need that. Mich can't sell itself anymore with hoke. He needs to sell his system.
Peppers is a great start. Hand would help. McDowell would be awesome. But they NEED to buy in. We all can be michigan men...but can you play that way???
November 10th, 2013 at 10:49 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 8:53 PM ^
November 10th, 2013 at 9:51 PM ^
is he out of the NFL or did he pick up with another team? I would love to see him on the staff next year.
November 10th, 2013 at 10:13 PM ^
I believe the OL will be the same or marginally better in 2014. That scares me. The OL needs to take about 4 steps forward just to be considered average; at best I see 1-2. I am scared that Green has not flashed in any game not called CMU. I have not seen 1 run that made me say "Wow almost like Yeldon..." or "This is our Hyde". I hope he surprises me but I have yet to see a thing. Drake Johnson is a mystery as is D. Smith.
You mention the WRs - I like Chesson starting to emerge and Funchess Chesson and the legend of Darboh would make a decent top 3 I hope, and you assume one of the RS frosh this year make a leap next year. But Gallon is great...and Chesson or Darboh is not Gallon. So even with Funchess out there, it's a drop off IMO.
Devin will be a senior and I hope he gets his swag back and more importantly is able to read defenses better and find his 2nd option. If not its all moot. Butt should be a very nice player next year.
The defense should be better - hopes for Taco, Mario, Wormley, Henry on the line...Pipkins has yet to flash, we'll see if he does next year. Clark was not that effective vs Neb but seemed to improve vs MSU. If he can put it together his senior year it would be a plus but I dont count on it because it is ...Clark. LBs I thought would be great for us this year but thus far have been above average - some of that is probably due to an average DL; if they were left clean I think they might impress more. Next year you have a senior and healthy JMFR, a senior Morgan, and a senior Beyer along with Ross who I incorrectly thought would have a massive breakoutout 2013. Maybe in 2014. So I will throw the hat in the ring and say LBs will be great next year and top unit on team. In secondary, Stribling with a year under his belt I am excited about. Taylor and Countess come back as 3 year starters - if Mattison does not play press next year than he will never play press. We'll see if Peppers does stuff as a frosh but based on Green hype and this staff I cant get excited about any freshman right now.
We don't have a FG kicker we can count on, and a punter who shanks it 1-2x a game. Disappointing at this type of program.
I see another 7-5 type of season with losses at EL and Columbus guaranteed and ND likely. Tough games versus Utah at home and PSU. And 2-3 other games the fan base is saying "wow how the heck is this game a (a) close win or (b) a loss". I dont see us dominating anyone but maybe 2 teams on the schedule. I see a great chance of Hoke being fired in 12 months with what I believe will happen in Columbus behind a senior Braxton next year and a defense, unlike ours, showing playmakers starting to pop everywhere among their TRUE freshman (Bosa), RS Freshman, and sophomores. If Hoke loses by 25+ in AA and 25+ in Columbus back to back, I dont know how you defend him.
November 11th, 2013 at 12:58 AM ^
Next year we get haggerup back punting problem solved. And is wile back? Cuz he's not an awful FG kicker. Clark will be better even if it isn't up to peoples standard. And we will have way better receiver depth than we've had since the Braylon, avant, breaston, Arrington, manningham, tabb days. So I don't get the gloom at the WR position.
Really it is up to the coaching of the oline. If there's no development there were hard pressed to move significantly forward.
November 10th, 2013 at 10:17 PM ^