Let's be at least as optimistic as Joel Klatt (Michigan in Top 3 for next year)
For whatever reason, talk like this often gets smacked down as overly optimistic homerism that is guilty of participating in a perpetual "wait-til-next-year" mantra that will never ever ever come true.
But, as a Michigan fan, for me hope springs eternal--especially with the instant, palpable culture change since Harbaugh arrived.
Can't we be at least as optimistic for our own team as Joel Klatt is for them?
https://www.facebook.com/JoelKlatt1/videos/801366656714123/
I'm hoping that accolades like this stack up. I think Coach has our men in a place where they are going to hit the work hard, and strive to improve every day, regardless of what people are saying.
More than ever, it's great to be a Michigan Wolverine [fan]!
December 21st, 2017 at 8:27 PM ^
Attempt at embedding for the board:
December 22nd, 2017 at 1:35 AM ^
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:49 AM ^
If Haskins adds a true passing dimension, like everyone says, then yeah I could see OSU being better with him. For as good as JT was there he was not a true passing threat at QB.
Regardless, OSU will always be good so fuck 'em!
December 22nd, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^
JT Barrett ranks 9th all time in Big Ten in pasing yards. He was a pretty legit passing threat.
January 2nd, 2018 at 6:20 PM ^
That's like saying Denard Robinson was one of Michigan's best passing QB's because he had 2500 yards in 2010.
A lot of passing yards does not mean he's a great passer. Not knocking him as someone who cannot pass, but JT was a run first QB. He could pass but the NFL won't come calling for his passing abilities is what I'm saying. His passing threat was a direct result of his running threat, which was his strong suit.
Again, look at Denard in 2010. I doubt anyone would mark him down as one of our best passing QB's ever.. Denard's 2,570 yards was 9th all-time for most passing yards in a season at Michigan in 2010. And he's 5th all-time at Michigan in total passing yards.
December 21st, 2017 at 8:31 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 10:59 PM ^
December 22nd, 2017 at 3:54 AM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 8:32 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 8:57 PM ^
Klatt is a fair guy and seems very objective in his analysis, have always liked the guy and love Gus.
December 21st, 2017 at 8:36 PM ^
Still have to beat our 3 main rivals all on the road, all of whom project to be good to excellent next year. No easy task, and the team has not exactly performed well in those kind of games under Harbaugh. While QB will be greatly improved, and hopefully a strength, OL is still a major concern.
December 21st, 2017 at 8:40 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 8:44 PM ^
MSU was decent this year (not nearly as good as their record suggests, but still a decent team). They'll be better next year. And they always play way above their heads against us. They won't be a 3-9 team again next year, that game will be a tough one.
December 21st, 2017 at 8:50 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 8:51 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 8:55 PM ^
Really starting to wonder if there is a portion of the fanbase that is completely removed from reality.
December 21st, 2017 at 10:00 PM ^
why you bother to post, why you don't spend time doing something else, maybe painting toy soldiers or something. i mean, this board has a purpose, you are at cross-purposes with it, and you could use your time so much more beneficially. maybe give it a try.
December 21st, 2017 at 10:27 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 8:59 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 9:17 PM ^
No they were a decent team this year, top 25 S&P. They'll be better next year. They were terrible on the ground with a young OL, if Scott returns they'll be better next year. They'll likely improve in the air as well, as they have young and older pieces and a good QB. Their defense was quite good.
But I think that D is vulnerable to clever offenses with athletes everywhere. Most are, eh? But they leave CBs and safeties alone in coverage to protect the ground, and I think if we have a good QB next year they'll have a lot of trouble matching up.
December 21st, 2017 at 10:45 PM ^
They were a 7-5, 6-6 team masquerading as a 9-3 team.
Just like their 2015 playoff team was a 9-3 team masquearading as elite.
I predict a fall back to earth next year.
December 21st, 2017 at 11:17 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 8:50 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 8:54 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 8:57 PM ^
He is being realistic. You are a deluded fan boy. You are the reason the rest of the nation laughs at michigan fans and consider us deluded and arrogant.
Dantonio has beaten us consistently since Lloyd left. No reason to believe he wont field a good team next year and the game wont be a slugfest.
Please join the rest of the NCAA in reality given Michigans performance agains over the last 10 years.
December 21st, 2017 at 9:01 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 9:08 PM ^
Probably the face that no matter how good or bad Dantonio's teams are, we usually struggle to beat them or lose. Dude is an asshole, but also a good coach. He is like Tressel in that his team is ALWAYS prepared to play Michigan. That's what MSU plays for - to beat our squad, which has happened far too often lately.
December 21st, 2017 at 10:48 PM ^
I would say this: If one of the quarterbacks is good, Michigan will throttle Michigan State.
December 21st, 2017 at 9:33 PM ^
Yeah im sure you are dying to hear rational thoughts giving you struggle to produce any
December 21st, 2017 at 9:41 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 10:01 PM ^
I know why we keep losing to Michigan State. They usually have better offensive line play and better quarterback play.
Not too mention Dantonio is comfortable playing Tressel ball and grinding us down as the game goes a long.
They are well coached hungry teams that do not play to their star rating.
So stop saying we are going to destroy a team thats owned us since 2008. You just make Michigan fans look bad and live into the stereotype.
December 21st, 2017 at 10:13 PM ^
I think if you stopped worrying about what others think so much, you could calm down a bit, and you'd probably enjoy football more.
December 21st, 2017 at 10:15 PM ^
My Eagles are 12-2 and a game away from a homefield advantage throughout the playoffs
I enjoy good football very much.
December 21st, 2017 at 10:29 PM ^
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:12 AM ^
December 22nd, 2017 at 1:31 AM ^
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:55 AM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 10:03 PM ^
"examining any reasoning or evidence as to why this may be"
It's referee conspiracies and weather and injuries and whatever other excuse is convenient. It's anything besides those teams just being better.
December 21st, 2017 at 10:07 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 10:14 PM ^
Oh. It's turnover luck and injuries. Forgot about the turnover luck excuse.
December 21st, 2017 at 10:17 PM ^
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:01 AM ^
Nope. I think he's doing pretty well. The team has a couple positions of glaring need. If those needs are met then the team could make a push through a tough schedule for a division or conference title.
Currently, we can't really say if the team will be of that caliber because we haven't been able to establish the run against good teams, or keep our quarterback upright. Next year we're either starting a quarterback who has looked decent against mediocre teams but never looked great or a quarterback who has never played a snap at Michigan before.
These are big problems that will likely lead to a couple or few losses when facing a very tough schedule with all the biggest games on the road, where the team has consistently struggled.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^
Can we stop with the "you must want Harbaugh fired" BS everytime someone doesn't say 100% positive Michigan stuff? It's annoying and unfounded. Virtually no one has implied he should be fired yet people keep throwing into arguments as if everyone is saying it. Be better than that.
December 27th, 2017 at 1:18 PM ^
December 21st, 2017 at 10:57 PM ^
Harbaugh is a fluke play from being 2-1 against Dantonio and a homer ball spot to be 1-2 against Meyer. Sky isn't falling. Sure, its should've, woud've, could've....but this program is "close" to making the next step. I like our chances next year if we can clean up the pass protection. Yes we have some tough road wins, but I think the team makes it over the hump next year in rivalry games.
December 22nd, 2017 at 2:40 AM ^
"Dantonio has beaten us consistently since Lloyd left. No reason to believe he wont field a good team next year and the game wont be a slugfest."
There is simply no way you are a Michigan fan and I wish you would not try so sloppily, as above, to pretend you are.
The only posts you ever make are UM vs. MSU only. I am many enought to say good for MSU. You've had a good ten year run that probably helps offsets the past half century big time. If you are able to maintain after Dantonio, I'll say welcome aboard. But history says that won't happen.
You damn near blew it in final paragraph above.
"Please join the rest of the NCAA in reality given Michigans performance agains over the last 10 years."
If you would have put an apostrophe between the n and the s and added the t in agains, you would have written it exactly the way you were thinking it. Why don't you just give it up? You are no good. I don't mind UM's record vs MSU nearly as much as I do some punk ass pretending to be a Michigan fan. All you have is victories over Michigan and for you, it's still dreadfully wanting.
December 27th, 2017 at 1:21 PM ^