Which start to a season appears better?

1997

Re-hire RichRod?

I was at both Utah games (2008 and 2014), and was at the 2008 Wisconsin game.  I am far more optimistic about this season's start.  This year, we are talented but inconsistent.  In 2008, we were both untalented and inconsistent.

Thanks for asking. 

The cupbard was bare for Rich Rod and trying to do a major overhaul on offense versus Hoke being in his 4th year.

There's too much actual talent on the 2014 squad, and the defesne is actually really really good to repeat a 2008.  If 2008 repeats, then, damn, probably the biggest coaching fail this side of Charlie Weis.

.We have more talent on our team now and as bad this team is would destroy 2008 team.

I think it was because I had an explanation for the losses.  The ND game was a turnover fest that we still had a chance late.  Young players were stepping up, and the next year we were promised a couple dual threet QBs to really get this offense going (although those two changed to two different QBs) but the optimism was high.

I think the most unsettling thing for me this year is that I can't even pinpoint where the failure is coming from. 

I see tons of talent at reciever, a QB that I've seen put in hurculean efforts, and an o-line performing better than expected.  The D-line is living up to hype and the secondary is starting to pick it up as well. Even turnovers don't seem to factor in until we are already deep in awhole.  I think that is where I'm most at a loss.

Keep in mind, too:  2008 was RichRod year 1.  We are now in year 4 of Hokemania.

I feel very sad that the current squad is being mentioned in the same breath as the worst team Michigan has fielded in recent memory.

We look like we are walking through all the steps of our offense before we snap the ball, almost like we are still installing the basic concepts at the beginning of camp. The defense has no trouble figuring out what we are going to do. The only team that moves more slowly than we do is Navy and their offense is ridiculously difficult to scheme for even when you think you have their alignments figured out. In that way, there are similarities to 2008 even though this team, from top to bottom, is far superior to the 2008 version and it isn't even close.

C: They're both awful

for bringing up two terrible seasons.

Both don't look great.  I guess this season feels a bit more optimistic just because you can see the talent level there; that Wiscy win was just kinda dumb luck.  

I believed it would take some time and it would get better.

In 2014, its been 4 years of waiting for it to get better while watching it actually get worse.

make me want to insert an IV of vodka. Happy Monday to everyone!

I was thinking about that as well. What makes the comparison worse is that Utah went on to be undefeated, beat Alabama, and finished #3 in the polls.

Michigan was +4 in TO margin those first four games in 2008.  Notre Dame turned it over 6!!! times and still won handily.  Michigan's highest offensive output during that stretch was a cool 281 yards against Miami (OH).  ND, Utah, and WIsconsin each outgained Michigan by at least 115 yards.  Utah also received 15 penalities against UM that game and still won.  Wisconsin coughed it up 4 times (two fumbles, two INTS-- including the big one by Johnny Thompson) and UM's passing attack's stat line was a cool 10-21-96 with 2 INTs

I can't believe we have to have this discussion but 2014 UM > >> 2008 UM.  So hooray for that.

So does winning the BIG save his job?  (not that I think that is a viable outcome).  I  am asking because I honestly don't know how I feel.  Even if we were to have a complete turnaround and rattle off 8 wins in a row (which won't happen) I still don't think I would be overly confident with this staff.  

I realize this is a little off topic but I am just thinking out loud I guess.

The only reason you were more optimistic then is that you weren't used to losing all the time yet.  Unfortunately now we realy don't have tangible reasons for hope.  Our store of blind faith is cashed out.

I say we keep him. I doubt he will and more than likely we are looking at a 6-6 or 7-5 record! Then it is time to dump Hoke. Why give him an extra 2 seasons when RR was dumped after the writing was on the wall he would not work out there. The writing is starting to show up on the wall that Hoke does not have what it takes to be successful here. I'd rather find a much more talented coach for next season!!