If seven years ago someone told you this would be the state of U of M football. What would you have said?

Submitted by michfan6060returns on

Take yourself back to 06. One game away from a National Championship appearance. Sure the season didn't end the way we all hoped, but the future still looked bright. I would never have believed you if you told me we were in store for:  

  • Losing to App. St
  • Have a 50-39 record
  • Winning zero Big Ten championships and not even be a factor
  • Going 1-6 vs OSU
  • 2-5 vs MSU

Obviously there have been a few bright spots,(beating Florida in the Citrus and winning the Sugar bowl)but by in large being a Michigan fan has been pretty damn rough. Two years ago I was certain Hoke was the guy to bring us back, but now I have serious doubts. I’m starting believe he is just a good position coach who absolutely loves Michigan, but is in over his head.

MGoBoard

Wolverine Devotee

December 29th, 2013 at 1:57 PM ^

You said it best-

ff              ff                   jjj

EDIT: This post doesn't make sense since the OP deleted his words of wisdom.

Joined: 06/29/2009

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Vasav

December 29th, 2013 at 2:05 PM ^

It's just a friendly disagreement based on optimistic expectations.
I AM optimistic for next season. Based on my own personal expectations, this staff exceeded expectations in 2011, fell short in 2012, and this year either treaded water (or fell just short). 2014 is still a make or break year, but I'm willing to say that I had unrealistic expectations for the o line after Lewan announced his return. We were young, we struggled, and the bowl game was bad, and I've got serious doubts about all of the coaches after last night.
But I can't say I'm too surprised - I figured we were in for a rough offensive output sans Denard and four OL. I personally reset my expectations because of Lewan's return and that was silly.
I have high expectations for 2014. I reserve the right to pick up a torch and pitchfork at the conclusion of next season. But I'm not pulling them out just yet.

Joined: 12/13/2009

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westwardwolverine

December 29th, 2013 at 2:21 PM ^

Honestly, I think we will be a better team next year as well. I think our defense will be the best we've seen under Hoke/Mattison. This year, the defense was an average Big Ten defense. If that's the low point of a Hoke/Mattison defense (and a defense, which, unlike the offense, suffered a number of key injuries), I feel very good going forward. 

I think the offense will be more consistent. They may not have the crazy Indiana/OSU bursts, but they won't be as terrible as they were for stretches this year. 

However, we might very well end up 8-5/7-6 because all three of our rivals have homefield advantage and under Hoke, we've been terrible on the road. So I fully expect us to blow those three games and at least one more. Depending on the bowl match-up, we could end up anywhere between 6-7 and 9-4. I don't see us doing much better than that unless the LBs (Ross, Bolden, Gedeon) really make a leap, Pipkins and someone else do the same on the line and Peppers/Thomas live up their recruiting hype and the defense is truly MSU-style dominant. 

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bluebyyou

December 29th, 2013 at 3:07 PM ^

I wouldn't disagree with your anticipated outcomes if I thought that all was well between players and coaches, and if I thought our coaches were competent, which I don't in Borgess' case and which I am starting to question with Mattison, although the jury is still out on that one.

Joined: 09/07/2009

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Vasav

December 29th, 2013 at 1:53 PM ^

However if this time last season you told me the line would struggle and we'd be 7-6, I'd shrug my shoulders and say "well they are young."

Been a rough stretch but we can't change the past. I still have some belief that the future is bright.

Joined: 12/13/2009

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aaamichfan

December 29th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^

I'm mad as hell, and I'm NOT going to take it anymore! Seriously though, if you told me in 2006 that we would have a black president two years later I would have laughed and told you to fuck off. Things are cyclical, and change does occur. We will be fine. If this continues to bother you, take up a new hobby for the offseason.

Joined: 10/23/2009

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jcgold

December 29th, 2013 at 1:58 PM ^

Hoke is clearly in over his head. He can recruit, but has no ability to manage his coaching staff or Gameplan. I'm for consistency and giving more time in general, but it's hard to see someone so lost moving the program forward in the next 1-2 years.

Hoke's hiring was completely reactionary. We need to go out and find a proactive new coach to move this program into the future.

Joined: 07/27/2009

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JTownMaize

December 29th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^

I'm just waiting until the day when we can say "Remember when we sucked at football?"   This may take a few years/decades if the coaching staff isn't changed.

Joined: 11/08/2011

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elhead

December 29th, 2013 at 8:08 PM ^

If it is a ten year kind of thing then we only have what, three more years, to go?

The closest stretch in modern history - i know, depends on when you peg that - is the latter Oosterbaan-Bump Elliott period, which saw Michigan eclipsed by Ohio State coached by Woody Hayes and Michigan State coached by Duffy Dougherty. That ran for 13 years if you count Oosterbaan's final two years.

Looking back, that seemed like a long stretch. We're close to matching it right now.

So what that means to me, is that the ship ought to be righting itself pretty soon. Question is how this could happen.

Joined: 11/07/2009

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robmorren2

December 29th, 2013 at 2:00 PM ^

It's kind of like realizing you are getting old. It sucks, but what the hell can you do about it? It's hard to accept the fact that we aren't even a top3 program in a shitty B1G. You just have to deal with it and move on.

Joined: 06/04/2011

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Vasav

December 29th, 2013 at 2:09 PM ^

There's much to be said for maturity. Sometimes you go through a rough patch and think "my best days are behind me," and then all of a sudden you see things open up in front of you.

Michigan is different, the B1G is no longer the Big11Ten, and CFB is getting a playoff. And yet I still think our best days are in front if us. We've just been through a rough patch.

Joined: 12/13/2009

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corundum

December 29th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^

You think Morris is going to start next year based on an above average performance in a 31-14 loss? Gardner had 75% of our offensive yards this season. He played out of his mind against OSU. He had a broken foot for half of that game. I usually try to be nice when I disagree with someone, but you are either under the age of 16, old enough to remember segregation, or watched very little of our season if you think Morris starts over Gardner next year.

Joined: 05/10/2012

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smitty1983

December 29th, 2013 at 2:53 PM ^

And I watched every game this year. One game can be the difference in seeing a player develop. I will not throw a bone to Gardner when he played one good game against a rival. Gardner is inaccurate and makes bad decisions and holds on to the ball far too long. And age has nothing to do with a point and I'm neither. But it's funny that you point Morris lose when the defense didn't give him a chance to win.

Joined: 05/29/2012

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corundum

December 29th, 2013 at 3:24 PM ^

The Notre Dame game? Minnesota? Indiana? Also, both Gardner and Morris will have a hard time appearing successful when there is absolutely no threat from the run game. This is another reason we need Gardner to start, he actually adds the threat of possibly running the ball for positive yardage. Also, Gardner had more yards passing this season than any other Michigan QB save for Navarre in 2003. With Al Borges as his coordinator.

 

Our offensive gameplanning for most of the year was poor to average, something completely out of Gardner's control. Can you count how many times this year Gardner miraculously pulled a long run for a first down or improvised his way for a TD, largely saving our bacon? I'm not blaming Morris for the loss whatsoever, but we only scored one TD and that was after the game was decided. Like I said, he had an above average game, but if you think that performance justifies benching Gardner, you're crazy.

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smitty1983

December 29th, 2013 at 4:09 PM ^

Say. he did play well against nd Indiana and Minnesota and yes he can run. I just think Morris fits this offense better. And I'm not saying bench him, I honestly think if it will be an open competition, which they preach, I think rMorris could very well win the job. And if you do get a run game going by chance I think Morris doesn't seem to panic as much and goes through his reads quicker but I can only go by one game. No I'm not saying bench Gardner at all I want him to earn the job. I don't want it given to him because he is a senior.

Joined: 05/29/2012

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dennisblundon

December 29th, 2013 at 2:02 PM ^

I just don't get the doom and gloom. The future is bright in my opinion and a coaching change would stunt our growth yet again. Next year will be my basis for evaluation on the coaching staff as it should be for most level headed fans.

Joined: 02/23/2010

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1of12MattDamons

December 29th, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^

You're singling out exceptions. They were also redshirt freshman and quarterbacks who were surrounded with weapons and veteran offensive lines and players on both sides of the ball. 

It has also been well documented (even on the front page of this site) that oline experience is extremely valuable and correlates to the success of the oline. Auburn is the most exceptiony exception you could have made. Is not the norm good sir.

Joined: 12/16/2013

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dennisblundon

December 29th, 2013 at 4:34 PM ^

It's one thing to have a few Rs Freshmen and Sophomores peppered in and being good. In our case they not only start but are our depth. How some fail to realize that is not ideal is beyond me. This year we will finally be where a normal young talented top tier team should be. Anyone want to argue this?

Joined: 02/23/2010

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massblue

December 29th, 2013 at 6:12 PM ^

But expected to see improvement.  Look at KSU. They started 2-4 lost to a non-BSC team, but they steadily improved.  Look at MSU's offense. Their QB was terrible at the beginning and now is a 2nd BIG selection.  I would have been OK if we started 2-5, but finished 5-1.  Then there would be hope for next year.  I think we are going to be worse next year.  This is a below average coaching staff and this is going to be an average team next year as well.

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