Next season

Submitted by michgoblue on
As most have pointed out in the myriad threads, this season is over. Aside from the OSU game, none have much relevance aside from hopefully stopping the slide that we are on. While I don't agree with the numerous posters who say that they will no longer watch, no longer wear M gear or no longer spend or donate money, I was hoping to start a thread about reasons for optimism for 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?

BayWolves

November 10th, 2013 at 10:29 PM ^

Let's promote Stenavich and send Funk packing today.  I think that is a damn fine idea. Then we can get a full time QB coach and add in a full time D line coach. Perhaps we can find a role for Ron English because he did pretty well with our defenses before. Maybe he can coach the D line or Linebackers. This can happen now!

Then after the season ends we can get a new OC, hopefully someone who doesn't refuse to even try going 4 or 5 wide sometimes to spread out the D.  Then, we need Stenavich to teach RB pass protection/blocking. Hell, if Vincent Smith could do it I don't know why Fitz can't be taught to do it.

uminks

November 10th, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^

6-6 to 8-4, Whip pee! We will lose on the road to ND, MSU, NW and OSU, so here are your 4 losses. But it could be worse if we lose a few more at home, then we could be 6-6? But in '15 I think we will go 9-3? DB loves Hoke, so he will be around for another 5 years!

Ty Butterfield

November 10th, 2013 at 11:16 PM ^

After thinking about it I am not sure if firing Borges will do any good. Hoke will probably just bring a former Michigan coach who is washed up. Why can't Michigan get creative? Five years ago Gus Malzhan was coaching high school football. Michigan should try to find a young hungry guy who is not afraid to be creative. Alas this will never happen. Michigan is content to be mediocre.

KBLOW

November 11th, 2013 at 12:05 AM ^

This is where Dave Brandon makes it happen or not. Mostly likely not. OK, definitely not. 

I am not fan of his, but if he can get rid of Borges AND have had the foresight to do the due dilligence to have already researched a sweet list of those "young hungry" coaches, a list from which Hoke must pick, then I will happily re-evaluate how poor of a leader I think he is.

ontarioblue

November 11th, 2013 at 8:27 AM ^

I will be dressed in my maize and blue and cheering like hell before a crowd of Ohio fans and a half empty student section.  But I will be there, and I will be proud of my team.  Go Blue!

uminks

November 11th, 2013 at 10:58 AM ^

As long as Hoke and staff can get the team back to wining 8 or 9 games a season, he will be happy. I'm sure this year and next will be Hoke's two worse at Michigan but I can see him being a consistent 8 or 9 game year a winner! Yeah!