Dose of reality?
I will be the first to admit that I am on the “Tate is the second coming of Jesus” bandwagon. And the thought of annny mobile QB in the lineup makes me smile.
However, looking at the Spring Practice pics, I was shocked at how small/new/green, aka Freshman-y he looks. That shouldn’t be surprising, seeing how he is, for all intents and purposes, still a high school student. My concern is that in our collective maize-and-blue glasses, we’ve predicted a better season than what is in store. Rodriguez may have went 3-8 to 9-4 at WVU, but was that second year with 2 freshman QBs at the helm (and the good guy but Sheridan)? Or, does the increased talent UM draws compensate for that? I believe freshman - Pat White was only a 3* when WVU beat Georgia in 2005.
They will be significantly better next year even if Sheridan starts, all hes got to do is get the ball to the playmakers.
no pads
At least big will, without pads, looks, well, BIG.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:27 PM ^
Big Will is a defensive lineman...
There are five wins on this schedule just based on moxie and Brandon Minor alone. I have faith that some combination of Sheridan/Forcier/Robinson will net us an upset against either Notre Dame, MSU, or Iowa.
I have to believe that in order to retain my sanity.
the wet blankets wait for it, waaait for it......
WVU won 6 more games in 2002 with Rasheed Marshall, a sophomore QB. A year of Barwis and learning Rod's system makes a big difference. We may have more talent than WVU did in 2002, but we are still very green at many positions, including OL, DL, and QB. Lots of talent, lots of inexperience. There are no more gimmie games anymore (Toledo, App St). We'll be in a dogfight every game to reach 6 wins.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:30 PM ^
I figure we won three games last year so I will give us three games this year, versus the two MAC teams and Del St. There were then four games in which we were a play or two away from winning, those were against Utah, NW, Toledo, and Purdue. I figure since we are a year more experienced we can win games like those four. That then puts me at seven wins we could have had last year, and I am hoping that if we were that close last year we surely have improved enough to win seven this year. I then look to a game like Notre Dame, where we out gained them and outplayed them, but gave the ball away wayyy too much resulting in excellent field position for them. This makes me believe that we can beat them this year, although ND will be much more experienced as well. Last, I look to MSU, a team that we surely put up a fight against. With much of their play makers gone from offense, they are definitely beatable. In all, we have enough talent and experience to win at the very least 7 games next year, with maybe a surprise win or two coming along the way, which may give us 8 or 9 wins.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:47 PM ^
we also can't forget that "surprises" or "upsets" can work both ways. maybe we'll beat OSU but lose to Western.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:46 PM ^
That's like saying we can beat Florida and lose to App St....On second thought you are right.
How big was Doug Flutie? For that matter, how big was Troy Smith?
Forcier has probably been groomed for this since he was about five; he will be fine. And if he isn't, Sheridan or possibly Robinson will be better than what happened last year.
I have been as critical of Sheridan as any UM fan, but one does have to consider the possibility that another year with Mike Barwis and RR combined with the natural growth of someone in their late teens to early twenties may have actually helped Sheridan improve to at least a mediocre major college level QB.
With UM's talent, having a mediocre QB is enough to go 7-5 or 8-4 with this schedule. Even with a mediocre QB, they should beat Notre Dame because of ND's arrogance and the payback factor. Also, they will never underestimate a MAC or 1-AA team again. That should guarantee them four wins outside of the conference. They should be able to pick up a few in the Big Ten.
Hopefully, though, Forcier will play well and stay healthy, and they will go 9-3. I am guessing that Forcier may be a bit like Anthony Carter when he gets hit. Hitting Carter was described by opponents as being "like tackling barbed wire."
The last factor that a lot of us may have forgotten is that RR probably didn't even use much more than half of his offense last year. I think he will be able to install a lot more and give a lot of different looks this season.
Pat White was clearly bigger than Forcier coming into college -- pads or no pads. Check out this link and click back twice.
http://westvirginia.scout.com/PictureGallery.aspx?PlayerId=36364&Title=…
White is now about 6-1, 190-200 lbs. Forcier will grow into that frame, but it's going to take time. Same with Robinson.
The QB spot will be shared this year by three (Sheridan, Forcier, Robinson), lest our freshman Jesus end up thrice concussed or stuck in a body cast. Fast quarterbacks can run, but they cannot hide from the big hits forever.
I predict Michigan will win a few more games, somewhere between five and seven. I'd say five if I had to bet big money on it.
People will be throwing up...their hands at that point and calling for Rich Rod's head. It ain't gonna happen, nor should it happen. Our coach should stay put until his contract expires, barring a string of consecutive years without progress.
The Wolverines will surprise everyone in 2010 by taking first or second in the Big Ten and going to a major bowl. After that, they'll compete for the national championship, and everyone will sing Rich Rod's praises.
I'm as anxious as the next fan, but we have to be patient and realistic.
Wait... we went 3-9 last year???