But there's still a lot to like about the future for the Wolverines. You look at an impressive list of early enrollees coming in, which includes names like Will Johnson, Keon Sabb, Derrick Moore and others. A strong finish on the recruiting trail added some key players at positions of need and strengthened others.
Maybe, just maybe, this loss to Georgia is a step in the right direction? Of course, no one wants to be embarrassed on national TV like the Wolverines were. However, it's clear the gulf in top-tier talent between Georgia and Michigan was too much to ignore. UGA has recruited like maniacs and, with the Wolverines finally getting over the Ohio State hump, it hopes to benefit from that too. Georgia had one bad day all year against a Bama team that is once again going to be looked at favorably to win the whole thing. Sure, you can argue that Michigan had one bad day this year as well but it's clear the talent differential was something the Wolverines could overcome with heart and positive momentum alone.
It was a valiant effort all year and it certainly can be frustrating to see how things ended tonight.
A lot of narratives were erased this season. Demons were exorcised. Now the program knows what it takes to be Big Ten champions. The standard has been set to get to the playoff. Now, the next hump has arrived. To get past the semi-finals.
U-M loses some key pieces but also returns some others. Returns a staff that helped turn things around. There are some positives to be had here and only the future will tell whether this is a flash in the pan.
The standard has been set.
Some interesting questions will be answered next season, especially at the quarterback position.
It wasn't the way many had hoped it would end, myself included, but the door has been opened for further success down the line. I think the rejuvenated program will be back sooner rather than later. The bar is now high but it should always be that way with this program. It's up to them to get back there.
Maybe, just maybe, this loss to Georgia is a step in the right direction? Of course, no one wants to be embarrassed on national TV like the Wolverines were. However, it's clear the gulf in top-tier talent between Georgia and Michigan was too much to ignore. UGA has recruited like maniacs and, with the Wolverines finally getting over the Ohio State hump, it hopes to benefit from that too. Georgia had one bad day all year against a Bama team that is once again going to be looked at favorably to win the whole thing. Sure, you can argue that Michigan had one bad day this year as well but it's clear the talent differential was something the Wolverines could overcome with heart and positive momentum alone.
It was a valiant effort all year and it certainly can be frustrating to see how things ended tonight.
A lot of narratives were erased this season. Demons were exorcised. Now the program knows what it takes to be Big Ten champions. The standard has been set to get to the playoff. Now, the next hump has arrived. To get past the semi-finals.
U-M loses some key pieces but also returns some others. Returns a staff that helped turn things around. There are some positives to be had here and only the future will tell whether this is a flash in the pan.
The standard has been set.
Some interesting questions will be answered next season, especially at the quarterback position.
It wasn't the way many had hoped it would end, myself included, but the door has been opened for further success down the line. I think the rejuvenated program will be back sooner rather than later. The bar is now high but it should always be that way with this program. It's up to them to get back there.
