Discussion has been far and wide on this topic today...and, for the record, I am totally against players who decide a specific bowl game...meaning their last game in a Michigan uniform...is not worth them playing. Am also aware of the opposing view.
However, one aspect of this has not been discussed. That is, what impact, if any, will this type of thing have on how players are used throughout the season...IF Coach Harbaugh knows certain players are likely to skip the bowl game..?
Or, to put it another way...suppose Jim Harbaugh asks a player before the season starts if said player is likely to skip playing the team's bowl game..?
If the answer is yes, does Harbaugh then decide to increase playing time for guys on the 2-deep who will play for Michigan..? I think this is a valid question given the potential negative impact the absence of season long starters could have in the bowl game. Does Harbaugh just hope throughout the season his best players will keep playing..? Is that fair to the rest of the team...or the fans and alumni of Michigan..?
If I were coach, I'd certainly like some advance notice if my best players were likely to skip a bowl game...and it would certainly impact my approach throughout the season...
It's not just about the few who skip games...it's about the other 100+ guys who bust their butts all season long so Michigan can go to...and win...a bowl game. What about those guys..??
The more I think about this kind of thing, the worse it gets IMO,
Thoughts..?
However, one aspect of this has not been discussed. That is, what impact, if any, will this type of thing have on how players are used throughout the season...IF Coach Harbaugh knows certain players are likely to skip the bowl game..?
Or, to put it another way...suppose Jim Harbaugh asks a player before the season starts if said player is likely to skip playing the team's bowl game..?
If the answer is yes, does Harbaugh then decide to increase playing time for guys on the 2-deep who will play for Michigan..? I think this is a valid question given the potential negative impact the absence of season long starters could have in the bowl game. Does Harbaugh just hope throughout the season his best players will keep playing..? Is that fair to the rest of the team...or the fans and alumni of Michigan..?
If I were coach, I'd certainly like some advance notice if my best players were likely to skip a bowl game...and it would certainly impact my approach throughout the season...
It's not just about the few who skip games...it's about the other 100+ guys who bust their butts all season long so Michigan can go to...and win...a bowl game. What about those guys..??
The more I think about this kind of thing, the worse it gets IMO,
Thoughts..?
