Reasons to be excited

Submitted by mrjblock24 on

Sometimes when we lose it's easy to think of all the negatives (i.e. bad calls, bonehead plays, missed tackles, etc.) but with where we're headed we actually have a lot to be excited about. 6 things this season and next and in no particular order:

1. FOUR YEARS of Tate & Denard.
With these guys, especially Tate, we'll be in every game for the next four years. Tate will only get better and once they figure out better ways to use Denard...watch out.

2. Our defense is young (kinda) and in a new system.
If Donovan comes back, we'll have 9 returning starters on a bad defense, but there's nowhere to go but up right? I see them improving as they get more comfortable with Robinson and we start to add some depth.

3. We have a big game next week.
Much like Michigan State was able to get up for the game and forget about their previous disappointments, we won't have time to stay thinking about this as we have a tough road game in a tough environment on national TV.

4. Secondary depth is on it's way.
If we end up signing Cullen, Marvin sticks with his committment, and we can add another secondary prospect, we'll be on our way to some decent depth at secondary. Again, if Donovan stays, we should have all returning starters in a hopefully improved secondary with a season under their belt.

5. Construction is almost done.
Michigan stadium is not 100% complete yet, and neither is our team. We'll be able to compete all year in every game, and we're not even where we want to be. With such a young team, we should only get better as the guys get more comfortable with this level of play, and we add more pieces.

6. Sparty is still sparty.
Give them credit, they beat us twice in a row. But c'mon now. The first two years of a dramatic change in the program, both times with a true freshman QB. This a little like the big brother getting major surgery, coming home to recover, and the little brother sees the tide has turned for moment as challenges a wrestling match; OK you'll probably get him for a while, but once big brother's recovered it'll all be back to normal. The only thing keeping them from an L was an INT by said true freshman, and a converted safety's missed tackle. They played better than us most of the game, but like any big brother/little brother relationship the little bro doesn't stay on top for long. Dantonio, congats on beating a down UM program, we'll be happy to put you in your place when we're back to normal.

Big game this weekend under the lights! We're not there yet guys...but it's only a matter of time! GO BLUE!

house of pain

October 4th, 2009 at 1:31 PM ^

Annnnnnd UM played like hot trash for the first 3 quarters and UM still took sparty into overtime. Playing their worst ball, they took there arch rival into OT, who was playing their best ball. That's good news

mattbern

October 4th, 2009 at 4:34 PM ^

as bad as we played the first 3 quarters, i was glad to see that we could put that aside and still compete in the 4th. Theres something about tate that he can just make plays when his back is up against the wall and that is a very useful and rare quality. As he matures and grows more confident in this offense i'll be very excited to see what else he is capable of.

victors2000

October 4th, 2009 at 1:32 PM ^

I disagree about Sparty being Sparty. Dantonio is a disciple of Coach Tressel so he had a natural dislike towards Michigan even before he hit East Lansing. He is a good Coach; as a coordinator, he has had success everywhere he's been and as HC at Cincy he had success. He is a driven, motivated guy; I feel that this rivalry is going to gain steam over the next few years. I see this rivalry getting the buzz that our rivalry with ND has real soon.

mrjblock24

October 4th, 2009 at 1:52 PM ^

I think you're right about Dantonio. He's much more like Saban than Smith or Williams. I just don't buy this whole 'the tide is turning in the state' thing. He's a good coach, and this rivalry is obviously more competitive, but he'll lose more than he wins against us in the future.

jmblue

October 4th, 2009 at 4:55 PM ^

he has had success everywhere he's been and as HC at Cincy he had success.

At Cincy, Dantonio replaced Rick Minter, who was fired after going 25-21 in four years. Dantonio posted a worse record (18-17) in three years, but somehow parlayed that into the MSU job. (His replacement, Brian Kelly, is now 28-6 there.)

petered0518

October 4th, 2009 at 2:37 PM ^

M. Robinson will be playing linebacker. I am predicting this for a few reasons.
One, smarter people than me have said so
Two, his biggest struggle in camps have been that he isn't quick enough to play safety.
Three, the guy is listed at 6'1" and 190 pounds; similar size as Stevie Brown coming out of high school if I recall correctly.

3rdGenerationBlue

October 4th, 2009 at 2:44 PM ^

The O line didn't have their best day yesterday but they will improve particularly when Molk is back at center. Although they will lose some guys to graduation the younger guys will have another year of Barwis work outs and solid coaching to get ready. The other reason for excitement is Tate's consistent ability to make plays when the pocket collapses. Tate is learning which way receivers like to break when they pull off an assigned route and the receivers will get a better feel for where Tate likes to go with the ball. When they get in synch this team will have fewer three and outs particularly in crucial situations. It bites to lose to State especially when Michigan was so close to pulling of another Sparty NOOO! I haven't done a full scan of the posts today but I'm sure there is a break down of Tate's other options on the last play....Koger, run, etc which would have resulted in a first down. I'm sure he has already studied the film and will make a different play next time.

UMxWolverines

October 4th, 2009 at 8:34 PM ^

1) Tate is going to make Tebow cry the next few years.

2) Next year we have sparty in michigan stadium and dantonio will still be coaching em.

3) Next year the stadium will be complete and hopefully the team will be complete

4) We're 4-1 with a true freshman QB and a mediocre defense

5) Only 3 more road games

6) Iowa is 6 days away. What does that mean? Bad news for the Hawkeyes!

TinCup

October 4th, 2009 at 9:17 PM ^

I do think the guy is a good coach. But he's just so unlikeable and such an A-hole I just can't help but wish misery upon the guy.

The goal for Sparty is to achieve parity like what State experienced under Saban - essentially splitting games 50/50. But I think we are poised for great things and would be surprised if Tate loses to MSU again.