Was it as bad as we think?

PREACH...MGrowOld!!!

Too often we try to rationalize the poor product we’re seeing on the field. We absolutely clowned MSU for that disatrous 3-9 2016 campaign but over their last 18 games the Spartans record is far superior than ours. We can’t block anybody, and in this sport at this level that is crucial! For the past 2 off-seasons we were sold a bill of goods that a new OL coach would come in here and get the players right and we would not have the same issues going into the season. Yet here we are again after another loss asking how can the OL improve.

And that doesn’t even begin to bring up the odd coaching decisions that were made Saturday night. Why did Chris Evans not get more touches? Why in one of the biggest drives of the game, Nico and DPJ were on the sidelines. Why if Dwumfor is just as good as Mo Hurst(summer camp hype), was he not starting? Why pass on 2nd & goal from the 2? Why not have a sense of urgency on offense down 2 scores in the 4th?

MGrowOld, I completely agree with you.  Michigan is NOT in a good place.  Nothing I saw looked like there is any reason to think we will be much better than 8 wins with losses against the usuals.  I think a potential win vs MSU is the likely highlight of our season.

I think it’s a reasonable reaction to the other conference games and the level of opponents. 

For me, this season turns on the Northwestern game. It’s on the road. By that time, both teams will be ranked. If that streak was going to be broken this year, that would be the optimal opportunity, given the level of crowd hostility and the likelihood that UM will have superior talent at most positions. A win, and you’re potentially set up for a decent October run through the gauntlet. A loss, and serious questions need to be answered.

MGrowOld nails it. 

I guess I get why people have to play the ifs and buts game to make themselves feel better, but it doesnt make me feel better. 

The fact is, our head coach acts nothing like the same guy that he was when he got here, and neither does the team. They're disorganized, commit tons of mental mistakes, and don't beat anybody good. 

People realize we used to have these same record of 3 and 4 losses in the 90s and 2000s right? And while those teams were also infuriating sometimes with wasted potential, they never looked like the current team does which is totally disorganized and totally overmatched on the offensive line. 

I promise you, most of these same people now saying the loss on Saturday was okay and that 3 or 4 losses is what we should have expected were the same ones telling their friends how many big ten titles we'd have by now, and that we may have a national title at that point. 

At some point the team just needs to play better than what's expected. Every other major program in college football seems to manage it once and a while, except for us, Tennessee, Florida, ans Texas it seems.  

Yes, they've lost four in a row as a program.  That includes a bowl game, three different starting QBs, and this is a new year with a different team.  3 of the 4 games were probably top 10 teams.  It's not great, but at least add context.  People's expectations cause them misery. 

How is lowering expectations due to an early season loss any different than the years Bo was the coach.  In those days you could count on a close loss to ND early.  In the years they beat ND, they would lose to a team they would have no business losing to.  We have been conditioned to rationalize it for the last 50 years.