What Happened To Tate "The (Not So) Great"

After setting college football on fire the first four weeks of the season, Tate Forcier looked like the solution to all of Rich Rodriguez's problems. Rodriguez needed a true spread QB to run his offense and he found one the first four weeks of the season.

After the win over Indiana to move Michigan to 4-0 some ESPN analysts even mentioned Forciers name as a potential Heisman candidate. Now, even the most positive Michigan fans knew Tate was going to hit the wall. It is a tough thing to be the "Big Man on Campus" at 18 years old. But not only did Tate hit the wall, he never really got back up. Unfortunately, he took Michigan's offense with him.

Tate's brother and former Michigan and Stanford QB Jason said that Tate had the same injury as Sam Bradford, only Tate was playing through it. After watching Tate throw the ball after the Michigan State game, he looked like a different QB, so i think that Jason's statement bears some merit.

Tate was a different QB after the Michigan State game. I think the interception in OT coupled with the new found fame was just too much to bear. He was never the same. He never looked like he was having any kind of fun. Michigan's offense really needed the enthusiasm that Tate brought, more importantly Rich Rod needed it.

Speaking of my last sentence, one has to wonder if Rodriguez felt any resentment towards Tate. The man under the gun was still under it while his freshman gunslinger was the most popular man in the Midwest. The play calling got a bit more conservative and run-oriented and he made darn sure that Denard Robinson got his plays. I know that I am reaching, but it makes one think does it not?

So, to finish this up, I hope that Tate has a great off-season. He is going to have to because with Robinson right on his tail and Devin Gardner on his way in, Michigan will have the most QB competition since Henne beat out Gutierrez for the job.