Hater or Bitter?-A Guide
Reading thru all the venom the last 2 days I noticed a lot of guys getting mad for being labeled "haters" because they thought they had valid criticisms of the team and coaches and resented being lumped in with all the "haters". Their take was that they are true blue and that they will back most any coach as long as they win and keep it clean, but enough is enough they can't take it anymore and all of us "apologists" for Rodriguez are a bunch of losers. So here you go. Your guide to avoid being labeled a hater by the apologists and get a decent response to your post.
1. No cracks about hillbillies or race-Pretty obvious but just steer clear even if it's a joke, your thread will be hijacked into oblivion by the pc police and you will get negged into oblivion.
2. Do not use the following words or phrases, Unacceptable, We're Michigan, Stop Making Excuses- College football has changed and you have got to accept that we can't just roll out the winged helmet and get 8-9 wins and if we don't "fire them all"... Lloyd, Mo, Rich or Bo as11-1 is the basement. Freshmen are not "excuses" they are explanations. We have a lot of them they will get better, it's like a 99% chance they will get better from their freshmen year.
3. The Spread won't work in the Big Ten- Been beat to death you look like an idiot.
4. The 3-3-5 is killing us against the "Big" Teams- We've been in a 4 man line with 8 in the box a lot the last few weeks. You look like a guy that hasn't watched the games and hates RR, because you can't see.
5. Bring up his record- We all know his record stinks, but holding a loss aginst the guy when he is starting Nick Sheridan or wounded true Freshmen is pointless. Your post will devolve into a pointless back and forth, keep your post current.
6. Try the back handed compliment- Don't try and soothe the apologists with a "I used to like RR but " They will spot you a mile out.
7. Vagueness- This will kill you. This isn't Mlive. These takes won't fly......"RR is a good coach I just don't think it will work here" "Robinson is a moron" etc... People on this board are used to graphs and extensive diaries from guys who have done research. Keep your point limited and specific with at least a theory to why you think something is wrong.
8. Fire- You probably want to leave out the words "he should be fired". You may have a decent point, but you immediately look like a guy on Mlive 2 minutes after the loss just yelling and your point is glossed over. Does RR derserve criticism? Yes. Definitely yes, he's made errors. Firing him for going 5-2 with his offense just starting to take flight with frosh running around all over the place is a little premature.
I'm sure I missed a bunch so feel free to add on to the list so we can help out our fellow frustrated fans from being mislabeled and having their posts devolve into name calling.
Now about that cushion on the wr's......
October 19th, 2010 at 12:49 AM ^
Yup, none of the players that transferred the last two years were going to be starters at some point.
Brandon Smith, JT Turner, and Vlad would all like a word with you.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^
Well, I don't know if it's irrational. Maybe a little innocent, I'll cop to that. But my perspective is "This is my team, and this is my coach." I'm not going to stop supporting RR until he is fired, quits, or retires. Or gives us all a really good reason to stop supporting him (see below). That's my interpretation of "The team, the team, the team," which is a sentiment that I've always liked.
Admittedly, that doesn't mean I love everything he does. I don't like losing any more than the rest of you. And speaking hypothetically, I would find it very hard to vocally support a coach whom I thought was morally questionable or a douchebag (not an issue with RR, IMO). But as long as a guy holds the title of Head Coach, he's my coach, of my team, and I am not going to bail.
October 18th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
"this team and this program may be a significant amount of trouble at this point, and we may need to be very patient before we as fans see this team and program improve. It may be with Coach Rod at the helm, it may not be. It is truly a tough call at this point. If you cannot see the problems he is having and the problems he is going to have in overcoming them, you are not seeing reality. "
Very well put. It's beginning to look like this team is in some real trouble at this point, and it's not just this season. They're at a crossroads athletically and financially. They need to win a lot more. Calling out Rodriguez's record might make you a "hater," but man, it is so far outside of recent history's range, it has to be called out. If someone can look at Saturday's game and see hope for the near future, they are more optimistic than I am.
Another point, regarding the blue hairs / donors / rich alumni / whatever you want to call them. Go ahead and bag on them all you want, but they are the lifeblood of this program. Bo / Mo / Lloyd could have done none of this without them and the network that Canham established. Big time football needs big time money and they provide it. And now we have a poor instate economy and luxury / program supporting seats going unfilled. So maybe they can't differentiate a 3-3-5 from an 8 man box and maybe they like to yell and boo. That's their choice and that's their right. Call them whatever names you want, but they were instrumental in establishing the brand that is Michigan football now and will be instrumental in keeping it going. Dave Brandon won't be making decisions on the future of this program from a strictly x's and o's standpoint. He's a CEO and a business man, and this is a multi million dollar business and he'll treat it as such.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
UM football is ultimately a business. Brandon will evaluate it as such. He won't be swayed by emotion either way.
October 18th, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^
You don't see any positives in the #3 offense in the country with 9 returning starters next year and possibly the most electric player in college football getting his1st chances to start?
You would scrap it all and start over?
I find it hard to believe people want to scrap this because of what they see now.
I think people take the end of 06, 07, 08 and 09 lump together with the 1st 7 games this year and say we had enough.
Do you think the freshmen won't improve?
I think people are really spoiled and really bitter to not see the good in this team. The defense blows, it looks inept but you can't really look at the circumstances around this seeondary and say well they should just overcome it, no excuses.
October 18th, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
I didn't say, or mean to imply, that I didn't see any positives or that I want to scrap the whole thing or that the freshman won't improve.
I'm just saying, for the immediate future, this doesn't look good. Immediate as in this year. The defense simply can't stop anyone and I'm not conviced that with Denard in the game this team is built for any sort of substantial comeback. So, the margin for error on offense is razor thin to non-existent. The next three games will really be the key. PSU and Illinois have questionable offenses, but generally decent (PSU) or good (Illinois) defenses. The question is if those defenses can hold UM in the 20s, do we have a prayer of our defense containing them enough to win? Maybe, maybe not. Then you have Purdue who has beaten UM twice in a row in shootouts and it's on the road. Basically, I think 5-7 is a lot more possible than 8-4 at this point.
October 18th, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^
The flip on Denard over 2 games is amazing. Denard is young and not a great passer, but didn't he lead 2 game winning drives on the road?
He can "run" a 2 minute drill. Wasn't everyone complaining earlier in the year we scored too fast. Now you don't see how we can comeback with him as qb? You seem rather intelligent so I think you need this bye week more than the team because your attitude has dropped off a cliff if you have lost faith in Denard.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:23 PM ^
I didn't really say what I was thinking too clearly there. I think Denard is a great option in a two minute drill, assuming you just need that score. His threat to pick up yardage with his feet in 10-15 yard chunks is a key to keeping the defense honest. The IU game was a perfect example of that. Take the 10 yards at a time when they sit back for the pass, then let it fly when they creep into the box.
What I meant with "substantial" comeback was that if you're down a couple of scores with limited time and you and the defense know you need to throw, I think that situation fits Tate's strengths better than Denard's. Basically, if you get a couple of bad series like happened in the Iowa and MSU games and suddenly find yourself down three scores in the second half, I think it's fair to consider throwing Tate in.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^
I understand your point but you fall in to the trap I pointed out. You are very vague.
Rich Rod is struggling, this team and this program may be a significant amount of trouble at this point, and we may need to be very patient before we as fans see this team and program improve. It may be with Coach Rod at the helm, it may not be. It is truly a tough call at this point. If you cannot see the problems he is having and the problems he is going to have in overcoming them, you are not seeing reality.
Maybe I got maize glasses on. My reality
Offense has slowed down, some our fault, some Iowa and MSU are playing good D. We have a Sophmore qb making his 6th start and we return 19 of the 22 players on the 2 deep next year and we're still in the top 10 in the country in offense with new playmakers emerging like Gallon and Hopkins with established guys like Shaw and Odoms hurt with other potential breakout perfromers like Hart and Toussiant on the horizon with an emerging OL with potential NFL players like Lewan and Omameh getting their feet wet I see no problems whatsoever on the horizon with the offense it is now deep and evolving.
Defense is a disaster. I don't like what I see. In my head I see a defense that is struggling and playing poorly, but I don't see quitters so that is good. I see a front 4 of Martin, Roh, Van Bergen and Black that are returning, I see a back 5 of freshmen that should and must improve and they also return their best player by a mile(Woolfolk). I see a terrible linebacking core that some of the blame must be shared by the staff and must be corrected. In their place I see a guy in Mike Jones that is super athletic and has received much praise before breaking his leg stepping in next year and hopefully a competent K. Demens locking down the other spot.
I see recruiting on a positive swing, Denard is making Michigan cool again.
Special Teams are bad but Hagerup has come on he is a tru frosh. The rest must get corrected.
If the defense gets settled down over the bye I could see a 8-9 win season if not a 7-5.
The defense will have no excuses next year barring an injury meltdown as they have competition now at every spot and if the kids aren't ready then that goes to the coaches. I think 10-12 wins is entirely possible and expected next year. If that does not happen then we need to examine why. If the offense was relatively healthy and sputters maybe RR needs to go, if we lose a couple of games 52-45 then Gerg gets packing and we move on, with a deep unit of defenders coming back.
Other than negative press built up from over the years I don't see program problems. the kids have been on the stright and narrow for the most part. Most have been upbeat. Facilities have been upgraded. Brandon is awesome. Don't let the last 2 years stain where we are.
October 18th, 2010 at 10:38 AM ^
9) If you act like you would do a better job coaching this team than the current staff. Coaching youth football on Saturday mornings doesn't make you a D 1 coach. Coaching JV football doesn't make you a D1 coach. Watching Michigan football for the last 20 years doesn't make you a D 1 coach. RR is one of the best offensive minds in the game today. There is no denying that. You can easily quibble on a fair amount of his head coaching decisions since his arrival. But you don't know more than he does about this team, these are not your players. We don't know the full story on the limitations this roster has.
Gerg has forgotten more football than anyone on this board has in their heads. The man has an amazing resume. Criticize him, that's your right. But you do not know any better than he does on how to run this team. If you did, you wouldn't be on this site. I hate the way our D plays, but there are a lot of valid reasons why. We know a lot of them due to the high level of analysis that exists on this board, but even we don't know all of them.
I have a lot of ideas on how to make this team perform better on Saturdays against more talented teams. But they are just singular ideas. A football game is a tapestry of events. Changing one part of the game plan effects the rest of the game plan. My belief is that none of us, not even the few posters who are really knowledgable about football (vs. just Michigan football) can possibly know the entirety of this team and the best way to manage a game.
Part of the beauty of this board is that we can postulate about our passion in a forum where people care about our opinions. But please remember that our coaches are professionals with incredible track records. We are not them. Not even close. I'm sure a few people on this board could be them if you put them in charge and paid them to spend 100 hours a week with the team, but alas, that's not the case...so let's keep some perspective...
In summary, criticism of coaches understandable. Frustration of coaches understandable. Claiming to know more than coaches, ridiculous, naive, annoying.
October 18th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
A football game is a tapestry of events.
on a Monday morning?
+ 1 sir.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
Wow, that is a little fancy. Sort of just slipped out. Stupid Michigan education...
October 18th, 2010 at 11:00 AM ^
Thank you 2012. This is the best post I have read in at least 4 weeks. Most people have no clue what goes into making a program successful. Thanks again.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:12 AM ^
But then Rod Marinelli knows a lot more about football than we do too. I supper then that you think he should not have been fired?
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<br>These coaches are all experts in terms of knowledge of the game, but that is not win games. It is getting your players to execute that wins games. That is coaching in a nutshell.
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<br>Thus far RR has not gotten all of his players to execute ad they should. That opened him up for valid criticism.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^
As I stated, it's totally valid to criticize. Just don't claim to know more/better than the coaching staff. Because there is a 99% chance the collective "you" doesn't.
Sorry if that wasn't clear.
October 18th, 2010 at 1:06 PM ^
Lets keep some perspective. These aren't seniors. I'm leaving it at that.
October 18th, 2010 at 8:57 PM ^
Also, most people have no clue what is going on "inside" the program right now. That includes students, most boosters, ect. Brandon has access to so much that what we see on gameday. As reported by the D News today, the notion of deciding RR's future based only on W's and L's is simplistic and insulting (to Brandon). RR has already coached here 2 1/2 years, is the last 1/2 year really going to make or break him? At this point guys, 6-6 vs. 8-4 might be irrelevent. I think Brandon may already know if RR's coming back or not.
October 18th, 2010 at 2:31 PM ^
Gerg has forgotten more football than anyone on this board has in their heads. The man has an amazing resume. Criticize him, that's your right. But you do not know any better than he does on how to run this team.
Absolutely, 99% of people on this board do not know more than GERG about football, probably 100%. But really, bringing up his resume? Can no one see here that bringing up NFL championships sounds sort of like, oh, Charlie Weis? Hey Bill Callahan had an incredible record in Oakland for one season. We all know the NFL to College and College to NFL argument doesn't hold a ton of water, so why do we keep using it?
Talk about his 2004 Texas defense (that he had for one season, and coached alongside Duane Akina), but his pro defenses have no real place in the resume argument.
October 18th, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^
Just out of curiosity how can you critcize and be labeled as bitter and not a hater? You seem to have listed most of the available criticisms as something only a hater would say. Many, of course, are valid as comments that a hater would say but others? Of course I'm not going to state my thoughts on each point because I would then be considered a hater.
October 18th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
Don't reference stupid points that I listed out. Then ask something constructive or funny.
Hater Example-RR needs to go this ain't working
Bitter Example- How the fuck does JT Floyd let someone inside him when he's only giving a 3 yd cushion and positioned 2 yards inside the receiver? Who is teaching that? Is that what they want him to do?
See easy.
October 18th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^
After the "You Suck" chant, there was a woman who yelled "..Rich Rod!" in section 35. That drew some awkward laughter but no one really replied to it. There were a lot of blue hairs around and I think a lot of them feel that way right now.
October 18th, 2010 at 10:45 AM ^
I'll admit, that's just funny, even if she was serious. If she does it again though, that's just killing the joke and she should be metaphorically punched in the throat.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:00 AM ^
I'm not sure why the some people are just plain stupid and why they seem to be the older fans. My assumption is that they don't use the Internet as much for information and rely on the simpleton news they get from the MSM. It seems to me the more informed you are the better you are able to understand the situation.
I hear so much ignorance in the stands it's amazing. Why come to the games just to bitch? I fucking hate the booing. I have a guy in my section we've named "Mr Happy" who constantly bitched about Lloyd and is now on RR, why come if all you are going to do is be pissed?
I also love the football experts who have all of the answers. RR and GERG did not get stupid all of a sudden. Are they doing everything right hell no, but you can believe it's eating at them a heck of a lot more than it is us.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
You must be in my section because I turned to a guy during the MSU game and asked him how he gets out of bed in the morning. He seemed to have to think about it before he gave me a dirty look. I looked then at my Dad and said the exact words you just posted, "Why even come to the came to bitch all the time?" I just don't get that logic.
October 18th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^
* Don't say that it's too cold to run the spread in the Midwest. Tell that to Drew Brees. Remember that the spread, as practiced by RichRod, is a run-heavy offense. You may as well insult Bo and Woody while you're at it.
* Don't suggest that we're losing to the OSU and MSU solely because RichRod does not understand the importance of those rivalries. @#$%ing insane.
* Remember that Rodriguez hasn't had three recruiting classes. He's had two and some snake oil in '08.
- - -
Above all, be smart and data-driven. There are some good reasons to pick on RichRod. Don't do it stupidly.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
I especially agree with 6. I hate when people start threads "I used to support RR completely" or "I fully support the program and RR, but". You shouldn't have to say anything like that if the content of your argument is worthwhile. I also think overzealous supporters could follow about half of those and be less annoying.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:10 AM ^
I hate bitters and haters make me bitter. Screw all the wussies. We are 5-2 with a shit D but had a chance last game if we don't make sophmore/freshman mistakes (Ints/Lewan/Kickoffs).
We are going to take the next three and end up at least 8-4. With our shit D and kicking game, I'll take that all day and everyday.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
If we take the next 3 we're going 10-2. Book it. If we beat PSU @ PSU and Illinois with that ground attack, I think we'll get our confidence up on D and be ready pull two huge upsets in a row to end the season.
I didn't mention Purdue b/c if we lose to them, I'll become a bitter hater.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^
I'm on the fence about Rich Rod. I'm not sure if he is the right fit for the school and the team but I don't want to see them pull him when the thing is about coming to fruition. I consider the Denard mistakes as a quarterback who was starting in his 7th game. I think he will learn the passing game. I consider the defense a fact that we are starting freshmen and sophomores mainly because I see fits of brilliance followed by fits of ineptitude. Part of it may be coaching but part of it may just be inexperience. I think someone pointed out that Iowa was stacked with seniors.
Quite frankly, I'm willing to give Rich Rod and Gerg another season. As people have pointed out, this season is not over and 7-5 or 8-4 is still a real possibility.
October 18th, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
spirits can make anyone bitter or sound like a hater. If your gonna drink, do it in moderation. If you're already plowed, perhaps you should just step away and let a designated poster do the typing for you. Consider the ramifications of typing while drunk; you don't want to wake up in the morning thinking, "Oh, what why did I write that...", knowing your reputation is ruined and everyone thinks you're a slut.
October 18th, 2010 at 12:22 PM ^
Where were you Saturday when I needed you?
October 18th, 2010 at 11:38 AM ^
Give me a season where juniors are the majority of the D, then we can talk about the D. IMO, three seasons of Barwisizing is enough to weed out those who prefer a more laid back program (which is perfectly valid). If, and this is a big if, we don't have any losses on D in the next offseason, our D will finally have some experience starting next season and especially for the 2012 season.
honestly, I prefer a 3-4, but that is just me.
October 18th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
My biggest problem is that those being critical assume anything negative that happens on the field should be fuel for anger at the coaching staff. Should the team have been better prepared to defend the return of a blocked field goal? Certainly (though I doubt any fan was walking around all week worrying about whether or not we were prepared for just such a situation). Is it the coaches' fault that JT Floyd can't cover a decent WR one-on-one? No. And you sound like an idiot when you say things like that, especially when you are the same people who cringed every time we rushed three and dropped eight earlier in the year to avoid just such a scenario.
If these folks looked around the country they would see the struggles of Florida's offense and USC's defense and realize how important depth/experience are. If they looked at our own history, they would see a team that started Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Jason Avant, Steve Breaston, Jake Long, Mario Manningham, Lamarr Woodley, Gabe Watson, Alan Branch, Leon Hall, David Harris, Prescott Burgess and had a few more NFL guys on the roster (none of whom were freshmen) and still went 7-5. Did the coaches suck because that team gave up a 60 yard run on 3rd and long to lose to Minnesota? No, some of the guys on the team just weren't ready to play yet. When they returned basically all of those guys a year later, they started the season 11-0 and went to the Rose Bowl. Time/experience makes an enormous difference. David Harris didn't become David Harris until his senior season. Stevie Brown went from most maligned defender in U-M history to NFL draft pick in his senior season. Woodley went from 7 sacks as a junior to 12 as a senior.
Looking at this program (that returns 20 starters next year and is fielding a team loaded with freshmen/sophomores) and assuming that they have reached a plateau where a critical evaluation is fair smacks of total ignorance.
October 18th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
I don't understand how people can't get that players improve dramatically over the course of their 4 or 5 years on campus.
JT Floyd went from not looking like he should have a scholarship last year to looking like he is a below average Big Ten corner this year. He's got 2 more years left hopefully he keeps fighting and turns himself into a productive piece of a pretty good defense.
Now that Ezeh is done we have 9 returning starters on defense with Woolfolk replacing Rodgers so really 10 starters return plus a significant upgrade. Black, Roh, Mike Jones, Gordon's, Avery, Carvin, Christian and Talbott should all see huge strides next year with the experience they received under fire with a years training and learning under theri belt.
October 18th, 2010 at 4:46 PM ^
JT Floyd went from not looking like he should have a scholarship last year to looking like he is a below average Big Ten corner this year.
That's still too hard on him. He's at least an average cover guy, and probably above-average against the run. He has 59 tackles in seven games. To put that into perspective, Charles Woodson had 47 tackles in the entire 1997 season. Floyd is being asked to do a ton because of the poor LB play in front of him.
October 18th, 2010 at 2:38 PM ^
I think that the best possible situation for everyone before considering any type of response or evaluation of the program is to think about all of the factors working against the team right now. Those factors explain a lot of the problems away.
However, those very factors should be evaluated independently to see what the causes are. Is our defense bad because of inexperience, position changes, and lousy fundamentals? Duh. What is the root cause of inexperience, the position changes, and lousy fundamentals? I'd love to say it is the bare cupboard, decimated defense response alone, but there are very real things in the program that are causing our players to leave, the poor tackling, the baffling inability to adjust to pretty consistent offensive strategies.
October 18th, 2010 at 9:28 PM ^
I have someone who I work with who definitely is in the Hater category. He was at the Iowa game on Saturday (wanted me to go with him, but I had to take care of my 5 wk. old son while the Mrs. went out..but I digress).
Here were his statements to me following the game:
1. Rich Rod should be fired, and Jim Harbaugh should be brought in.
2. He has turned Michigan football from an elite program into Northwestern. He destroyed the program and chased away Ryan Mallet.
3. The defense is terrible (one true statement) and he can't recruit to save his life.
4. Even with the Tate comeback, they had no chance of winning the game at all.
5. The RBs are terrible
6. Denard is not durable.
7. He says that 8 wins this year is not a good season in his mind.
I responded to him that he was full of it regarding statements 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7. 3 and 6 are partly true.
He tells me that I'm in the Rich Rod fan club and I should stop defending him. When I explain about all the defensive injuries with the young players and people leaving, he said that it is irrelevant!? I then tried to explain to him that this is his second full year and he needs another year and he used the word 'Unacceptable'.
He then give me a revisionist history of UM's record vs. Iowa and says that we only lost to them 1 time in 10 years before RR lost 2 years in a row to them? I explained that they committed a lot of penalties and committed 4 turnovers and he still expected them to win the game? I asked him if he was watching the same game that I did?
He then spouts off about MSU and that they really aren't a good team and we shouldn't have lost to them. Explained that they are packed with seniors and have a real easy schedule and beat UW who beat OSU. At this point, I stopped trying to argue with him and told him he was full of s__t and he needs to go find some facts before he spews crap out of his mouth.
This is what I have to deal with and it ruins my day when I have to deal with people who have no clue about what's going on.
October 19th, 2010 at 12:36 AM ^
First post here, so bear with me.
I've been a Michigan fan since I could walk. My first vivid memory as a child was being led into Michigan Stadium on gameday by my grandpa and seeing over 100,000 people cheering the Wolverines. I attended every home game during my undergrad years, and was lucky enough to rush the field after we beat the Buckeyes to complete the 1997 regular season. I live and breathe Michigan football.
All in all, I agree with you. As to your enumerated statements:
1. Too early to know if RR needs to be fired; no way on God's green Earth that Harbaugh wants anything to do with the program.
2. Utter nonsense on NW; hard to know for sure re: Mallett, but a silly assumption.
3. This defense aspires to be terrible. It it atrocious. I honestly think it is giving me cancer. Too early to know if RR can recruit well enough for the Big Ten.
4. Honestly, if you really thought we were going to come back and win that game, you were fooling yourself. It was obvious that as soon as we got within a whiff of the lead, the defense was going to fold. The special teams snafus just helped that along.
5. Laughable. They're not great, but they are certainly servicable. Fumbles will happen; not every RB can control the ball like Mike Hart.
6. He's no more or less durable that any other player asked to carry that much of the offense on his shoulders. RBs get to take plays off all the time.
7. Plain nutty. I am a pessimist by nature, so I expected 7-5 at best when the season started, and that included winning only one of the first two games if we got lucky.
So all in all, yeah, that guy sounds like a tool. However, for those of us "old-timers" in our 30s (and certainly the real old-times in their 40s, and the shambling corpses in their 50s), we've never experienced a period of Michigan football like this. The frustration is mounting week by week. Every season since RR took over, the defense has gotten statistically worse, despite us thinking: "Well, at least the defense couldn't possibly get worse!" Fooled us again, RR. The special teams have gone from mediocre, to awful, to cataclysmic. The mental mistakes and unforced errors--heave-ho INTs, stupid penalties, blown defensive assignments, that unbefuckinglievable performance on the blocked FG--continue to pile up.
To see our Wolverines--occasional national contenders, perennial conference contenders, always at least better than average--reduced to this is maddening. This season, in particular, feels like Groundhog Day, winning our non-conference games and barely managing to edge poor Indiana, and then losing to MSU and Iowa back to back. At least last season we were on the road and had a legit chance to win late in the fourth quarter. A night game in Happy Valley, and then games against Illinois and Purdue, who have had our number and appear to be improving by the week, and then finish it off with Wisconsin and OSU? Trouble. Each game, trouble.
With this offense, Michigan has a puncher's chance against every team in the country. But, with this defense and these special teams, there isn't a team in the country that doesn't have (at minimum) a puncher's chance against Michigan. One turnover per game might be too much to overcome against the remaining competition; two would be certain death.
I hope to heaven I am wrong. I want to share the optimism of some of you folks. I'd love to see Michigan sweep through the rest of their schedule, or the next three games at the very least. I just have a hard time believing that's going to happen.
Is 6-6 in his third season at the winningest program in Div I-A history good enough for RR to keep his job, especially with the specter of potential NCAA sanctions looming in the next month? I honestly don't know how to answer that question.