This post isn't about outcomes. Just as the best professional baseball teams ever assembled didn't win all their games, this team too could stumble on an outcome or two. We'll have plenty of time to fret over outcomes.
For now, I think we should really enjoy the lead up to this season because I don't think we'll ever experience another one like it.
This roster is loaded. There's a lot of ways to subjectively parse experience and talent. I can't come up with an angle that presents a view that is short of "loaded".
There's NFL players everywhere. That doesn't happen always but has happened before and will happen again.
What likely won't happen again is the makeup of their road to get here. This is a group that can still taste being on the bottom and would rather die than to have their lasting legacy be anything other than what they've already accomplished - if not more. The core of this team not only saw, but owned the rise from a dormant blue blood to a champion. The names of kids who played roles in turning 15 of 16 losses to OSU and no Big Ten titles in 17 years to two straight wins and playoff births is crazy. JJ, Keegan, Zinter, Edwards, Corum, Johnson, Wilson, Barrett, Harrell, Moore, Paige, Jenkins, Colson....
This doesn't count soon to be superstars who "only" saw big roles one of these magical seasons like Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Derrick Moore and Coleston Loveland.
Then there's this absurd list of transfers. Only captains and exceptional talents need apply? Seriously? Has anyone in any college sport assembled a transfer list like that?
And we all know the supporting cast of players I haven't mentioned is loaded as well.
2 time defending Big Ten Champs. 2 time defending winners of The Game in blowouts. 2 time playoff participants.
Leaders EVERYWHERE. JJ McCarthy "I want this to be the best team ever" isn't even going to Chicago!
A LOADED staff of hungry assistants.
Speaking of two, a quick circle back to names already mentioned. Edwards and Corum. We've had plenty of great backs, sometimes at the same time. But never at their NFL ready peak together. Having Edwards and Corum is akin to having a senior year Mike Hart and a senior year Biakabutuka at the same time.
And then there's coach. A hall of famer on a redemption run. One of Bo's favorite sons. Son of Jack Harbaugh. For those not luck enough to "feel" what this means you'll have to take my word for it. This is nothing short of magical and a fountain of youth for us old timers. Bo's record will never tell the story of what it meant to support his program. The direct DNA link to that time is a blessing that makes this era and squad feel like a winning lottery ticket to a sports fan to those in my generation.
There's no guarantee in sport. The ball will bounce the way it bounces and the results will be what they will be.
But Michigan football in this moment and each moment this fall leading up to those results has never been in a better position.
Enjoy every second I know I am and will.
Cheers.
For now, I think we should really enjoy the lead up to this season because I don't think we'll ever experience another one like it.
This roster is loaded. There's a lot of ways to subjectively parse experience and talent. I can't come up with an angle that presents a view that is short of "loaded".
There's NFL players everywhere. That doesn't happen always but has happened before and will happen again.
What likely won't happen again is the makeup of their road to get here. This is a group that can still taste being on the bottom and would rather die than to have their lasting legacy be anything other than what they've already accomplished - if not more. The core of this team not only saw, but owned the rise from a dormant blue blood to a champion. The names of kids who played roles in turning 15 of 16 losses to OSU and no Big Ten titles in 17 years to two straight wins and playoff births is crazy. JJ, Keegan, Zinter, Edwards, Corum, Johnson, Wilson, Barrett, Harrell, Moore, Paige, Jenkins, Colson....
This doesn't count soon to be superstars who "only" saw big roles one of these magical seasons like Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Derrick Moore and Coleston Loveland.
Then there's this absurd list of transfers. Only captains and exceptional talents need apply? Seriously? Has anyone in any college sport assembled a transfer list like that?
And we all know the supporting cast of players I haven't mentioned is loaded as well.
2 time defending Big Ten Champs. 2 time defending winners of The Game in blowouts. 2 time playoff participants.
Leaders EVERYWHERE. JJ McCarthy "I want this to be the best team ever" isn't even going to Chicago!
A LOADED staff of hungry assistants.
Speaking of two, a quick circle back to names already mentioned. Edwards and Corum. We've had plenty of great backs, sometimes at the same time. But never at their NFL ready peak together. Having Edwards and Corum is akin to having a senior year Mike Hart and a senior year Biakabutuka at the same time.
And then there's coach. A hall of famer on a redemption run. One of Bo's favorite sons. Son of Jack Harbaugh. For those not luck enough to "feel" what this means you'll have to take my word for it. This is nothing short of magical and a fountain of youth for us old timers. Bo's record will never tell the story of what it meant to support his program. The direct DNA link to that time is a blessing that makes this era and squad feel like a winning lottery ticket to a sports fan to those in my generation.
There's no guarantee in sport. The ball will bounce the way it bounces and the results will be what they will be.
But Michigan football in this moment and each moment this fall leading up to those results has never been in a better position.
Enjoy every second I know I am and will.
Cheers.
