Expectations have skyrocketed really quickly
I am totally OK with this, BTW. It just struck me as I was going through a couple of coaching staff threads that so far, Harbaugh is exceeding even our most unrealistic expectations. When I look back two weeks (!) and how I was feeling then, and what people were saying...what's happened since is truly unbelievable.
1. Harbaugh said yes.
2. Our program's perception among recruits, analysts, fans, etc. has undergone a complete turnaround. Without playing a game-hell, without having a practice-the perception is that Michigan is back, and a force to be reckoned with.
3. We are already getting spoiled, to the point where a poster commented that JH "Finally" is completing his staff. Dude, it's been 10 days, and he's put together an all-star group that I have to believe is one of the best in CFB.
4. I wake up every morning and say "Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh"...and smile.
I knew if he came here, it was going to be great. Just didn't realize it would be this great. I know, we haven't won a game yet. I know, only 6 recruits signed for this year. Don't care, so looking forward to watching this team play and once again arranging my other life commitments around Michigan football games rather than watching 5 minutes and then checking the score 3 hours later.
January 8th, 2015 at 9:53 AM ^
1. Ohio State beat Alabama and we were playing with Ohio State until the 4th quarter.
2. We in essence had Luke Fickell coaching us last year. Next year, we have Urban Meyer for comparison's sake. Ohio State: 6-7 under Luke Fickell. 12-0 first year under Meyer. I don't think anyone expects that from Harbaugh, but most recognize we have two top seven recruiting classes coming back as upper classmen next year along with a sophomore class that had a top 15 cumulative star ranking average + a freshman class that should look decent by signing day.
3. We return everyone of significance besides Funchess, Beyer, Ryan, and Frank Clark. QB play (I hate to say it couldn't get any worse than we had last year) should be better.
That is why I really think 2015 could be a lot of fun. It's a bit of a tough schedule when you look at the schedule: @Utah, Oregon State under Gary Anderson, @Penn State, Michigan State, Ohio State. It will be a challenge, but I'm not betting against a solid season. I'd go over on the 8.5 wins.
January 8th, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^
Agreed. The defense should be better than last year's decent unit with Mattison saying on and Durkin in the fold. Better more expeirenced o - line. A complement of pass catching TE's, H backs and FB's. TY ISAAC, a motivated Derrick Green. WR's with game experience plus will be highly motived to sell their routes, block and not drop balls (Im guessin Harbaugh doesn't tolerate that). Even with the same QB play as last year, we should be a better team, HOWEVER I expect improvement out of the position, even if its just steady, low risk, consistent play. 8 wins is my floor.
January 8th, 2015 at 9:54 AM ^
Must beat Michigan State and/or Ohio State. Other than that, I'm predicting an immediate difference and "turn around" for this program.
January 8th, 2015 at 9:55 AM ^
1. I'm very glad Harbaugh is here
2. I do think he will improve the program
3. Seven years of futility is a long time, so I will take a wait & see attitude towards the turn-around of the program. I can wat 2-3 years for a consistent winner.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
January 8th, 2015 at 10:16 AM ^
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January 8th, 2015 at 10:22 AM ^
January 8th, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^
I suppose the most important expectation - the one that leads to the wins people would like - is simply the expectation that a culture which fosters winning is established, and that being the case, I don't think there is a better person out there than Jim Harbaugh for Michigan's particular predicament. Indeed, we're starting to see that first expectation get met with an upgraded staff replete with excellent recruiters, but also excellent competitors and people who have demonstrated an ability to motivate and improve others.
If you can set this in motion first, I think many of the other expectations that we might have become far easier to meet, even exceed in time (and we'll need to give it a little time, I bet).
January 8th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^
You could make a tapestry of those videos! They never fail to give me the chills. Nice clip.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:20 AM ^
I'm betting 12-0 for 2015. Why not? Nothing to lose. And yes, I have drunk enough Kool-Aid that it is merely a vaccination now. But... I truly believe this team only lacked the quality of coaching that could get them over the hump. Our defense has been sufficient but now has been upgraded. Our O-line has been well regarded as recruits, just not coached-up. Our playcalling will be a question mark but...HARBAUGH supervised, at the least. QB will also be a question mark, but I think a Harbaugh guided game manager can be effective if not deadly. RB's will certainly block under Tyrone, and TE's/WR will too. The talent is thin at the receiver positions but not horrible. And I believe special teams will not just exist in year one of this staff, but excell. And finally Harbaugh will Harbaugh us to beat Ohio at home. Call it whatever, but I kinda like this new flavor of Kool-Aid!
January 8th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^
It is not at all inconceivable that we could beat OSU in 2015.
Harbaugh's 1st-year W over a fully loaded, #1 USC squad, with Stanford having been a 41 point dog in that game, gives confidence that anything - ANYTHING - is possible.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:45 AM ^
One thing Hoke did pretty decent is that he was competitive against OSU. A Michigan win or wins in the last three years wasn't too far from a possibility. Because of these results I'm expecting to remain competitve against OSU and start winning some of those games. My own personal opinion is that we need to focus more on MSU and getting that monkey off our backs. I think victories against Ohio are coming.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^
had only ever thrown three passes in official play. Also, they were playing at USC where the Trojans had a 35 game winning streak. The previous year Stanford was 1-11 and lost to USC 42-0 (at home).
Stupidly ridiculous game.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
please delete
January 8th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
If Jim is Bo reincarnated, he will practice something specifically for that team down south every practice. I think Coach Harbaugh will have an eye on his first opener as well. I think Utah could be a little tricky, but since they are experiencing their own upheaval this off-season, that eases a little apprehension of that season opening road game.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^
on and off when I think about our coach and what his staff is looking like. I am excited but once spring practice starts, I will be unbearable to my wife.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^
Late summer the common theme on this board was:
1. Hoke is going to turn it around this year, his kids are experienced and well coached; he'll leave Michigan when he wants
2. There is no way we get Harbaugh. It ain't happening. He's not leaving SF and if he does, he's going to another NFL Team.
Then bit by bit, the stars started to align slowly to a beautiful cresendo in late December. Its really amazing if you sit back and think fo all the little things that had to happen (and did) to exceute such a great hire.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:41 AM ^
January 8th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
Not saying Harbaugh can't, and won't, fix those problems. He will, but it'll be extremely tough to do those things in just one offseason. Without a QB, we're fighting an uphill battle against any team with a pulse. Wouldn't surprise me if it takes us a year or two before this team really starts clicking on all cylinders.
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January 8th, 2015 at 10:46 AM ^
will look like this:
January 8th, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^
January 8th, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^