A call for calm
I have seen a ton of panic and negativity on this board since Saturday, but I think that if everyone can take a step back, there is a larger picture that explans so much of our struggles this season, and which and might provide a ray of hope.
It is fairly common after a coaching change for a coach to take a step back in year 3 because the exiting coach almost always recruited poorly during his last year or so (by virtue of being on the hot seat). As a result, while a new coach often comes into a situation in which he has talented upper classmen on the roster, by year 3, most of those players are gone and there is a gaping hole where the senior and junior talen should be.
That is precisely what we are going through right now. For Harbaugh's first two seasons, he was able to somewhat benefit from the upperclassmen that were on the roster from Hoke's first few successful recruiting classes. Those guys are gone, and in their place, our upperclassmen are made up of Hoke's much weaker last two classes. Those classes were followed by the disaster of a transition class that resulted from Michigan hiring Harbaugh almost on the eve of National Signing Day.
Harbaugh is not the first coach to experience initial success, followed by a tough 3rd year. The same thing happened to Hoke based upon RR's last few classes. While that may not be comforting, perhaps the following few examples will make everyone feel better:
Dabo Swinney - went 6-7 in his 3rd year, following a 9-5 2nd year. From year 4 forward, he hasn't won less than 10 games.
Urban Meyer (Florida edition) - following a 13 win national championship season in 2006, the program took a step back in 2007 and only won 9 games. That 3rd season was an outlier as it was followed by consecutive 13-win seasons in years 4 and 5.
Nick Saban (LSU edition) - followed a 10-win second season with an 8-5 3rd season, only to win 13 games (and a national championship) in year 4.
Nick Saban (Bama edition) - Hist first two full seaons were 12 and 14 wins (with a National Championship in year 2). In year 3, he took a relative step back to 10 wins, only to follow that with 12 and 13 win season (and 2 more national championships).
Mark Dantonio - after taking MSU to a 9 win second season (which, historically, is a great season for them), Mork went 6-7 in year 3, only to rebound to an 11-2 conference title season in year 4.
A few observations:
1. Each of those guys is a massive douchebag. Not necessarily relevant, but it jumps off the page.
2. Harbaugh may not recover as quickkly in year 4 as these guys because his transition class was really small and weak (not on him), and moreover, his first few classes really whiffed on OL).
3. Look at some of the young players on our roster. Aside from OL, which we need to fix ASAP (and which should resolve itself as our young line matures over the next 2 years), we are STOCKED with young talent. Unfortunately, this season, that talent is playing against older, stronger, more experienced players who are more fundamentally sound just from being older, stronger and more experienced. As these guys get older, stronger and more experienced, I think that the sky is the limit for our team.
tl;dr version - everyone chill out; we are really young; coaches struggle in year 3, even great coaches. history is a guide, will be rebound nicely over the next year or so.
October 10th, 2017 at 5:55 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 5:56 PM ^
Jimbo FIsher
October 10th, 2017 at 6:10 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 6:18 PM ^
has a decent shot to win it all in years 4 and 5 at least.
October 10th, 2017 at 6:04 PM ^
mack brown
October 10th, 2017 at 6:18 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 6:44 PM ^
And your list is full of rather questionable character coaches
October 10th, 2017 at 6:57 PM ^
Ahh, Mr. Coker. Did you realize that he basically sat on the HC seat and that's all? That team would have possibly won without an HC.
And Chizik. Oh boy, another flame out. Let's stick to some longer term proven commodities, shall we?
October 10th, 2017 at 7:49 PM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^
2 out 11. Count Mike count. Now your argument is more cogent and forceful. Good luck.
October 10th, 2017 at 6:40 PM ^
Things are done differently in the SEC and ACC not sure we want to go down that road
October 10th, 2017 at 6:05 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 8:21 PM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 12:26 AM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 6:06 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 6:25 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 6:33 PM ^
Idk if he can divulge what he really wants to say b/c it would indict Karan for leaking too much info regarding the team.
October 10th, 2017 at 6:51 PM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 3:13 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 4:35 AM ^
Before your post, literally every issue you have brought up has been discussed by Brian and/or other contributors to the main page. Take a listen to the Podcast. There's some really interesting back and forth about your topics.
It's healthy and interesting for people to have different opinions or analysis. But you're not even engaging with differing views. In fact, your post shows a complete disregard for them. This is what makes comments like yours particularly frustrating to me.
October 11th, 2017 at 3:06 AM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 9:20 AM ^
our offensive coaching definitely took a step down in the offseason. and it shows on the field. Combine that with underperforming QB and OL play and here we are.
October 10th, 2017 at 8:11 PM ^
A-freaking-men
October 10th, 2017 at 6:10 PM ^
Does this rant mean anything? Probably not, but I really don’t feel like being calm. My favorite team, my obsession, and one of the only things that brings me unreasonable amounts of joy in a week lost and looked bad doing it. I’m going to get over it, but the next win can’t come soon enough. I don’t feel like easing off the anger, and at the end of the day, my anger doesn’t have shit to do with anything happening inside the Michigan football program. So, until that next win, you all are going to have to deal with my moaning and groaning. I apologize in advance.
October 10th, 2017 at 6:50 PM ^
But success is measured differently by each fan, MSU went to the playoff 2 years ago in a season they nearly lost to every team they played including Rutgers and their fan base was happy until they went 3-9 then there was talk of moving on from Dantonio. This is just what fans do I guess
October 10th, 2017 at 6:12 PM ^
We lost one game with a wonky OL and our back-up QB getting his first start against our number two rival. Turning the ball over five times, and still keeping it within four points. We are currently 4-1 and ranked in the Top 20. With one of the youngest teams in the country. It's just not that bad of a situation.
I don't know what's worse. Posts like the OP's assuming that we're all apoplectic over this game and in need of the OP's intervention, or the vocal minority of people forecasting doom based on one turnover-laden game that ended in a monsoon.
Holy Recency Effect, Batman! It's gonna be OK. We've got a top defense, a great head coach, great recruiting classes, and lots of young talent.
Guh.
October 10th, 2017 at 6:32 PM ^
from Everyone Murders.
I like it!
October 10th, 2017 at 7:50 PM ^
It's not "one game". The offense has looked like shit for 5+ games. We don't have a deep enough list of great recruits coming in on the oline. People were hoping the line would be ok this year and get better. There is ZERO sign of that happening.
October 10th, 2017 at 11:02 PM ^
hmm?
And do you think you can make it happen?
October 10th, 2017 at 9:27 PM ^
October 11th, 2017 at 11:18 AM ^
Actually depends on how you measure it.
By some metrics we're the youngest. By some, MSU is the youngest.
October 10th, 2017 at 11:12 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 6:11 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 8:42 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 6:16 PM ^
Good idea - I have a nice Setiva to help calm me down.
On a side note, my 9 year old daughter was looking over my shoulder at this thread and said...that's a funny name...carlos spicywiener. (insert hand slapping forehead emoji).
October 10th, 2017 at 6:17 PM ^
Every team has problems that need to be addressed. Bottom line is some fixes take longer than others, depending on who is fixing.
Some have all the faith in the world and the rest have none. Balance is key. Have faith while questioning.
And remember, karma is a bitch. Arrogance oozes from this fan base.
State still uses “Little brother” as motivation 10+ years later. Funny when Hart said it. Anyone see the writing on the fucking wall then?
People should stop acting like Michigan deserves anything. We don’t deserve shit, and right now we don’t deserve all of Harbaugh’s hard work.
October 10th, 2017 at 6:22 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 7:43 PM ^
BoCanHam15--Yes or No question. Is it okay to criticize or question Jim Harbaugh?
October 10th, 2017 at 8:35 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 8:55 PM ^
as an outlet for people to act like infantile morons. This place is worse now than the Scout/Rivals forums were during the RR years. After 1 close loss. Shameful really.
October 10th, 2017 at 6:18 PM ^
Anyone want to fight? Here's my number 867-5309. I'll give you my address over the phone.
Fuckers!
October 10th, 2017 at 7:18 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 6:19 PM ^
I'm am going to kick the ass of the first person to reply to this comment.
October 10th, 2017 at 6:28 PM ^
You do not qualify because you do not have an ass.
October 10th, 2017 at 6:29 PM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 10:13 PM ^
Does that mean I qualify?
October 12th, 2017 at 4:45 AM ^