Tons of talent and experience returning in 2018

Submitted by Duval Wolverine on

Michigan will go from one of the youngest teams in the country to one of the most experienced teams in CF by next year.  The returning contributors:

Offense                                                             Defense                            

D. Peoples-Jones                                             T. Kinnel

J. Bushell-Beatty                                              J. Metellus

C. Ruiz                                                             R. Gary

B. Peters                                                          A. Solomon

T. Black                                                            D. Bush

G. Perry                                                           K. Hudson 

S. McKeon                                                       D. Long

Z. Gentry                                                          L. Hill

C. Evans                                                          N. Furbush

K. Higdon                                                         C. Winovich

M. Onwenu                                                      B. Mone

B. Bredeson                                                    B. Watson

K. Walker                                                        A. Thomas

I. Bunting

T. Wheatley

E. McDoom

K. Crawford

 

The experience and struggles these players endured this year will help them next year.  Plus year three for this D. Brown defense that will have everyone back minus McCray and Hurst has a chance to be light years better than what we saw this year.  I think Peters has a chance to be a great quarterback, and will get better with experience and timing with all the receivers coming back next year.  

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Football

Casanova

November 19th, 2017 at 8:09 AM ^

The schedule is absolutely brutal. Easily the best in the country.

 

@ND

@MSU

@OSU

 

I agree we are gonna be better next year, even if our win totals are only slightly improved.

 
 

Joined: 09/23/2014

MGoPoints: 2836

LV Sports Bettor

November 19th, 2017 at 8:25 AM ^

nowadays in CFB you can lose 1 game a year (and should expect too) and still make the playoff. The BT is as good as it's ever been right now with Durkin, Fleck even Rutgers really making things much tougher than it's been along with the Michigan, MSU, Iowa, Wisconsin, PSU and OSU always consistently fielding a team capable of winning home game against anyone.

It be almost impossible to go thru season without a loss. Think we all have to stop looking at schedule and saying too tough cause they can't lose a game because the reality is it will happen at least once and maybe twice every year. Bottom line if they lose to ND, split MSU/OSU and end up winning East division get to champ game and win BT champ game I would say there still be a shot making playoff esp with that schedule as long as the losses are competitve games. 

Joined: 12/06/2014

MGoPoints: 1301

93Grad

November 19th, 2017 at 11:07 AM ^

and likely more than that. The three road games are all guaranteed losses and we likely lose a home game against PSU or Wiscy. We will be severely challenged on offense again. Third place in the division is going to be our ceiling for awhile.

Joined: 07/26/2011

MGoPoints: 13556

Wolfman

November 19th, 2017 at 1:28 PM ^

Urban is the only coach in the east that has a superior record than Harbaugh after three years and he inherited a loaded team that is going to lead to even more. The rest, including Harbaugh had to start over. Dantonio won 22, Franklin 25 and Harbaugh already has 28 with his first qb seeing action mid-season, third year. Yet, you all know the numbers, want to compare him to them, yet when he surpassed them excuses are made. The only coach other than Urb with a better record is Chryst, out of the west so that is not even oranges vs. oranges. You saw them last season vs us with a first year qb and you saw them vs. PSU last year, E vs. W. He is truly a good coach, just as are all the others listed here. If you don't think Harbaugh will continue to distance himself from the others that's your prerogative, but it does make it difficult for those who visit here to try and remain nice to others and positive both. 

i saw a young qb outplay the WI qb in the first half, probably lose a TD on a call definitely made a rookie mistake when he lost the ball yet did very well until he was leveled. He actually looked good in that first half, much like the qb I imagine Harbaugh thought he was getting during recruitment. I saw a young D keep WI to pedestrian levels for three quarters and with a few breakdowns lose what they fought so hard for. Yet fight they did. I am happy they do not give up as quickly as many here. Even if we were going backward, as obviously many on here feel, i'd probably just chose not to spread the shit where everyone else can smell it. 

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 8259

1VaBlue1

November 19th, 2017 at 8:36 AM ^

No reason to take shots at JOK - he may not have the P5 talent we want/need at QB, but he's out there giving everything he does have.  He did win a couple of games for us before Peters was ready to play, at least give him credit for that.  Whether he's here next year, or not, he wouldn't see the field, so give it a rest.

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 126476

victors2000

November 19th, 2017 at 8:54 AM ^

I actually edited the comment after I realized the omission. I'm in JOK's corner and I feel bad that he didn't do better. I feel bad for him because his dreams of being a pro QB are about over and unfullfilled. One of the good things about being a fan and not being on the team is that for the fan there is always next year and hope springs eternal; for the player the dream either continues or fades into a new reality that is a tad starker then the dream. That's Johns life, as well for countless student athletes who run out of eligibility or have to hang it up for another reason.

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 12778

ChuckieWoodson

November 19th, 2017 at 8:28 AM ^

I don't disagree and it's been incredibly frustrating for all of us who love this program. But we went from Hokes complete ineptitude to ranked #2 for a good part of last year. We can't say there hasn't been a ton of positive steps in the right direction. We'll get there.

Joined: 01/13/2012

MGoPoints: 26105

crg

November 19th, 2017 at 8:54 AM ^

Not buying it Leo. There have been frustrating points the last few years (some on the coaching), but this team was 5 points away from an undefeated season last year and was only truly outplayed in 1 game this year. The rest was a combination of bad luck (injuries and bounces), questionable officiating, and a few mistakes (most of which can be attributed to youth).

Joined: 04/30/2015

MGoPoints: 75035

MGoBender

November 19th, 2017 at 9:50 AM ^

They were clearly outplayed in all of their losses.  Losing a TO battle 5-0 is being totally outplayed.  Failing to score touchdowns with the field position they had yesterday - when Peters was in! - is being outplayed.  

I agree that the negativity can be overdone, but let's not sugar coat either.  A loss is a loss.  No moral victories. The loss to MSU was a bad game where we were outplayed. 

Joined: 03/26/2010

MGoPoints: 15128

Squash34

November 19th, 2017 at 4:08 PM ^

No losing the turnover battle 5-0 I'm MSU was unlucky. Michigan fumbled 2 times, MSU did 2 or 3. The ball bounced right to msu Everytime. This is being unlucky not being out played. There were 2 tipped balls by the defenses in that game, one for MSU and one for Michigan. The ball bounce right into the hands of MSU players 2 times. Bad luck again. I know people like to dismiss luck but it is real. You can't somehow practice getting a tipped ball to go right to a DB or wr. Out playing a team does not least to a fumble bouncing to our guys every time. Despite, this Michigan still had a shot at the end. If rolls were reversed, people would say Michigan got out played but got a few brakes with turnovers to beat msu. And they would be right.

Joined: 09/13/2016

MGoPoints: 3062

victors2000

November 19th, 2017 at 8:22 AM ^

Dude, you honestly can't see how this team has improved?? When Brandon was in there, you could see the future, the hopes and dreams coming to fruition, you did see that, didn't you? Last year worked out great until our QB got a bum arm and we got hosed by the refs in Columbus. Even Alabama's season doesn't always end in perfection.

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 12778

Bodogblog

November 19th, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^

The psychology of internet tough guys who barely know what inverted veer means who transfer their little-boy hurt at losing a game they didn't play in to hyper-masculine demands on people they don't know. 

The loss must emasculate you.  So you try to demean others and make alpha male proclamations to re-assert yourself on the ladder of self esteem. 

The loss hurts, but this is way overboard.  And it's much of the board.  I wouldn't mind so much, but 1) you guys need to recognize that you need to get a grip, and 2) there's a slight danger to me in that if enough of you dumbasses aggregate your opinion loud enough it may play some small role in someday (years from now) driving the perfect Michigan coach out of town. 

*A big difference between the "unacceptable" approach vs a rationale take down of the team's/coach's performance. When you deploy the "Just WIN" argument, you know you've lost to the other side and your own lizard brain. 

Joined: 06/08/2010

MGoPoints: 26674

Maynard

November 19th, 2017 at 12:04 PM ^

Thank you for finally admitting your agenda on here. You are afraid that any little criticism may lead to a slippery slope of increased criticism that eventually drives the coach out of town. Therefore, you try to shut down any criticism at all.

This is something that is quite evident on here but you finally typed it out.

So you project when you speak of the psychology of others who transfer their little-boy hurt.

Joined: 02/19/2016

MGoPoints: 9887

MIGHTYMOJO91

November 19th, 2017 at 8:36 AM ^

Alabama season does end up perfect more often than anyone elses. So theres that. If Michigan could do that once every 5-10 years imagine the joy that would bring! I will ALWAYS be a Michigan fan, nothing is changing that. We are what we are and that is not an elite program anymore. It absolutely sucks but it is a fact and we have to accept that. Not next year but maybe 2019 will change this reality.

Joined: 11/28/2015

MGoPoints: 4532