.....and move on.
This season is a rebuilding year, NOT a reloading year. Sorry, we just lost too many starters from last year. Unrealistic to think we could compete with the national elite with a team dominated by sophomores and freshmen and returning less than a handful of starters from last season.
Biggest disappointment today was the defense, Gave up way to many big plays today. Way too many. Of course, it was the first time this season that they went up against an above-average offense. Worst-coached game by Don Brown since he has been at Michigan.
Offense played about as expected. Not very good. What can I say? What I can say is today it became even more apparent that poor play calling and schemes were a significant factor in our offensive woes. Jim Harbaugh is going to have to make some drastic changes when it comes to the offensive coaching staff. Curious and very anxious to see if he will do it. If not, I do not have a lost of confidence that we can get the 2018 offense to play at a level where they can seriously compete for a national title. Three key injuries to Speight, Black and Newsome at perhaps our three most critical offensive positions very much hurt this team. VERY MUCH. If they can return it would make a huge difference, at least bringing our offense up to average next year. I can't really say it will be better until we have better offensive coaching. Much better offensive coaching.
So what about the remainder of the season? Forget about the Big Ten title and playoffs. They are now officially off the board. The extent to which we were exposed today probably puts our realistic ceiling at 8-4. I just don't see how we can beat Ohio State. Then again, we have five weeks to try and fix things so who knows? In my view, this team is more likely to go 7-5 than 9-3. I hope I am wrong, but today this team was fully exposed, warts and all. In my view, next week is the time to start to get Brandon Peters some serious reps. We need to see what we have got there.
A few additional thoughts:
1. We are now a clear fifth in terms of program momentum out of the five regional powers/rivals (Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre dame and Penn State all ahead of us). Who would have thought that just a couple of months ago?
2. This WILL have a negative impact on recruiting. Not in and of itself, but coupled with the loss to Michigan State, due to the fact that we were destroyed, and due to the fact that we lost to an Eastern rival that will be competing with us for kids in New England, New Jersey and the entire East Coast. Also does not help us that Notre Dame is so hot, as they also recruit the East strongly. The relatively good news is that it can only negatively impact the almost full and very small 2018 class so much and the 2019 class will be small as well and we will have next season to try and regain momentum.
3. Just goes to show that making a couple of crappy coaching hires can set a program much further back than having perhaps the worst scandal to hit a college football program in history. Even if such scandal resulted in the imprisonment of a school president and the disgrace of a one-time coaching legend. Much easier to rebuild from "mere" felonious behavior nowadays than it is to rebuild from poor coaching hires. Sadly, this tells me more about our society as a whole than I care to know. Better to cheat or commit crimes, especially with the No Clue About Anything NCAA in charge, than to hire a loser or two as a coach.
4. Notwithstanding the above, congrats to Penn State. The far better team won today, no ifs, ands or buts about it. Can't be blamed on a monsoon, our just having a lousy QB or even just a lousy offense. This was total domination and it hurts. The good news is things can change fast in college football. Just remember what we did to them 12 months ago. Time to rebuild. The staff has a pass on this season. Next season, however, it will be time to perform. No more ifs, ands or buts. No more excuses to wait until next year. The clock is ticking.
This season is a rebuilding year, NOT a reloading year. Sorry, we just lost too many starters from last year. Unrealistic to think we could compete with the national elite with a team dominated by sophomores and freshmen and returning less than a handful of starters from last season.
Biggest disappointment today was the defense, Gave up way to many big plays today. Way too many. Of course, it was the first time this season that they went up against an above-average offense. Worst-coached game by Don Brown since he has been at Michigan.
Offense played about as expected. Not very good. What can I say? What I can say is today it became even more apparent that poor play calling and schemes were a significant factor in our offensive woes. Jim Harbaugh is going to have to make some drastic changes when it comes to the offensive coaching staff. Curious and very anxious to see if he will do it. If not, I do not have a lost of confidence that we can get the 2018 offense to play at a level where they can seriously compete for a national title. Three key injuries to Speight, Black and Newsome at perhaps our three most critical offensive positions very much hurt this team. VERY MUCH. If they can return it would make a huge difference, at least bringing our offense up to average next year. I can't really say it will be better until we have better offensive coaching. Much better offensive coaching.
So what about the remainder of the season? Forget about the Big Ten title and playoffs. They are now officially off the board. The extent to which we were exposed today probably puts our realistic ceiling at 8-4. I just don't see how we can beat Ohio State. Then again, we have five weeks to try and fix things so who knows? In my view, this team is more likely to go 7-5 than 9-3. I hope I am wrong, but today this team was fully exposed, warts and all. In my view, next week is the time to start to get Brandon Peters some serious reps. We need to see what we have got there.
A few additional thoughts:
1. We are now a clear fifth in terms of program momentum out of the five regional powers/rivals (Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre dame and Penn State all ahead of us). Who would have thought that just a couple of months ago?
2. This WILL have a negative impact on recruiting. Not in and of itself, but coupled with the loss to Michigan State, due to the fact that we were destroyed, and due to the fact that we lost to an Eastern rival that will be competing with us for kids in New England, New Jersey and the entire East Coast. Also does not help us that Notre Dame is so hot, as they also recruit the East strongly. The relatively good news is that it can only negatively impact the almost full and very small 2018 class so much and the 2019 class will be small as well and we will have next season to try and regain momentum.
3. Just goes to show that making a couple of crappy coaching hires can set a program much further back than having perhaps the worst scandal to hit a college football program in history. Even if such scandal resulted in the imprisonment of a school president and the disgrace of a one-time coaching legend. Much easier to rebuild from "mere" felonious behavior nowadays than it is to rebuild from poor coaching hires. Sadly, this tells me more about our society as a whole than I care to know. Better to cheat or commit crimes, especially with the No Clue About Anything NCAA in charge, than to hire a loser or two as a coach.
4. Notwithstanding the above, congrats to Penn State. The far better team won today, no ifs, ands or buts about it. Can't be blamed on a monsoon, our just having a lousy QB or even just a lousy offense. This was total domination and it hurts. The good news is things can change fast in college football. Just remember what we did to them 12 months ago. Time to rebuild. The staff has a pass on this season. Next season, however, it will be time to perform. No more ifs, ands or buts. No more excuses to wait until next year. The clock is ticking.
