Stay up Michigan Fans, the Future is Bright!

After a tough loss at Kinnick Stadium, The Michigan Wolverines stand at 4-2 with what seems like a lot of questions coming from the fans.

Of course, there is the decision by Coach Rich Rodriguez to stay with Denard Robinson to provide what he called a spark.

The vast majority of Wolverine Nation almost certainly strongly disagreed even before the end result occurred (validly).

There are two sides to every coin though, and certainly the coaching staff believed Robinson gave them a shot to win, and also felt Forcier wasn't on his game as he had been. Maybe the "feel thing" Coach Rod was talking about was recognition of the mild concussion before it was diagnosed. Maybe Robinson completes the pass to Odoms.

Maybe our kicker hits a game-winning field goal and Rodriguez looks like a genius. Lots of maybes and frustrating questions about what still seems like a questionable coaching to many, and a decision at a key moment in an important game. Maybe we are also having too many knee-jerk reactions after a difficult, failure-induced hangover.

A year ago the Rich Rod apologists were pleading for patience. Now, at this point what we need to do is to keep things in perspective. Let's examine for one minute where Michigan has come from versus where Michigan Football is now.

After six games in 2008 the Wolverines were 2-4, having just lost at home to Toldeo. That loss may have been one of the most embarrassing losses I have experienced as a fan, and that following Juice Williams setting records in the Big House for total offense.

The Illinois game followed a great second half comeback victory over Wisconsin, that followed one of the worst offenses performances I have ever seen out of the Wolverines. They were abysmal against Wisconsin in the first half and really shouldn't have even had a chance to comeback.

Michigan's other victory was over Miami of Ohio, which was actually a tough game over a really bad team. Michigan was a team with very little progress, success or identity at this time last season. There was nothing about them that said they were going to make any significant improvement.

This 2009 squad is different. They have better speed and talent on offense, way better quarterbacks and they are constantly working on correcting their defense. Greg Robinson appears to have it headed in a better direction even if slowly. They were definitely more physical in the trenches against Iowa than in previous games.

Michigan was ahead frequently in 2008, and lost the lead in the second half. This season, they have been in positions where they have competed when they were down and won tough games. The two losses have been on the road, in overtime and by two points at Iowa in a game that saw UM have five turnovers.

Both games came down to the wire and were decided by mistakes made by true freshmen at quarterback. Ultimately this team is more battle-tested, resilient and resolute than 2008's team and will still compete in every game versus very good opponents.

There is no quit in this team and they are good enough to be dangerous at home against Penn State and Ohio State, and on the road at Illinois and Wisconsin.

Keep in mind this team is comprised of 75 percent freshmen and sophomores, including two true freshmen at quarterback, albeit extremely talented ones. Will Tate Forcier and/or Denard Robinson throw as many interceptions or turnovers in year two of their career? The answer is no, they will make their biggest jump in 2010.

Considering the fact that they also have any almost entirely freshmen and sophomore receiving corps, the passing game will make a huge jump within the next two years. 2010 will see about nine returning starters on both sides of the ball.

Michigan fans, look up and stay up...the future is bright.