Prior to every college football season, Michigan fans analyze their team and determine whether this year's team belongs in one of two categories: potential Big Ten Champion or potential National Champion. Generally, these expectations were more than realistic.
In a sharp contrast, the 2008 season is filled with talk of how potentially bad this team could be, with a new coach, a drastically altered system, and none of last year's stars returning for this year's campaign. The two choices Michigan has for quarterback are a freshman (although Chad Henne worked out pretty well) and a walk-on.
Ohio State is currently miles ahead in all aspects of the game, and for once it looks as if the team down the road in East Lansing may have a better early season outlook.
I'm not going to be the one to say Michigan has nothing to worry about, that no matter what the circumstance nine or ten wins is still likely. Rich Rodriguez is a combined 6-23-1 in his opening seasons at new programs.
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This year Wolverine fans are in the rare situation of not being able to expect to be the leaders and best.
That being said, the nation should make no mistake—this is not an all-is-lost situation. The 2008 Michigan Wolverines are far from the 2007 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Regardless of whether or not they are ideal for the system, the Michigan players are all part of annual top ten recruiting classes.
These kids are good at the game of football, however it is being played. All this “transition year” means is that the same caliber talent is put on the field with less experience and a little (well, maybe a lot) more creativity.
That means that Minnesota, Northwestern, all those MAC teams, and especially Notre Dame need to stop licking their respective chops. Michigan is still putting a better football team out onto the field and will most likely exit as the victor.
Ohio State, Penn State, and Wisconsin need to watch out too, because in this year’s matchup with Michigan, all the pressure is on them to win. Michigan has a tendency to relish in the role of spoiler (see ’93, ’95, and ’96, Buckeye fans).
Another reason for optimism is the fact that Rich Rodriguez’ first year statistics are based on him assuming the head coaching position on previously awful teams. He has never had anything close to the resources and talent Michigan has to offer.
Wolverine fans need to prepare themselves for a type of season they have never seen before. The obstacles this team must overcome to be successful are more prominent than ever before.
Opponents, however, need to brace themselves too. After all, this is still Michigan.
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2 months ago
Good read. There's games the Buckeyes should've won (1993, 1995, 1996) and there's games Michigan should've won (2001, 2004, 2005). Nobody can ever accurately predict how The Game will turn out just by going off what's on the roster of each team.
from 2 months ago
Good comment. I agree completely. You can go back further than that and find similar examples. The 1977 game, where OSU offense marched up and down the field on Michigan (running the ball too, mind you) and only walked away with 6 points. The 1979 game where a failure to block Jim Laughlin destroyed Michigan's hopes of a share of the Big 10 title that year too.
There are reasons why OSU-Michigan is the best rivalry in college football. The best team not always winning is one of those reasons. It's not a "law of the rivalry", but it happens frequently enough to make me wonder sometimes.
2 months ago
"Michigan is still putting a better football team out onto the field".
Michigan usually does. That still hasn't meant much over the years. Michigan has consistently done less with MORE talent than any program in the nation.
It goes all the way back to Bo and his lousy record in big games.
Michigan, through history, has been rated much higher at the beginning of the season and lower at season's end.
I agree that Wolverine fans must brace themselves.... after all, this is still Michigan.
2 months ago
Michigan may not have thier best season this year, but when all is said and done you will still go to a bowl game and win your share of games so it's allgood. No one should complian untill the last week of the season when the Buckeyes romp them.
2 months ago
While the 2008 Michigan defense is light years ahead of what Notre Dame put on the field in 2007, I have yet to read a single compelling counter to the fact that the Michigan offense will not have serious challenges in 2008.
Offensive Line - 4-5 new starters AND a new system.
Backfield - NEW QB - NEW System - ZERO snaps in college
RB - Under 500 yards rushing
WR - Not much in terms of production
So I would love to hear a valid counter to how the Michigan offense is not in danger of possibly having poor production. While it is possible for Michigan to find a rhythm early and not face challenges on the offense, this should be considered a surprise and not an expectation.
I have yet to read anything other than, WE ARE MICHIGAN, in a counter to the high possibility of an inept offense for at least the first half of the season.
2 months ago
Brian,
A great deal of hope for a successful football season appears to be pinned on the conditioning program.
Stories are popping up everywhere that Wolverine players are losing weight and building core strength and power for gridiron movement.
Part of me wants to buy into this hype too. But isn't all of this plyometrics and pilates what modern college football programs have been doing for some time and Michigan, after years of looking backward about it's victory count and tradition, just never came into the modern age of conditioning? How many additional victories do you think will be attributed to Michigan being just in better shape that it was last season (9-4-0 record)?
2 months ago
Throw out any and all variables and logical thinking when it comes to Michigan vs Ohio State. This rivalry is won and lost on emotion, heritage and history.
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