Michigan football has demographic and competitive factors working against them. The State of Michigan is smaller than the State of Ohio and the general SE Michigan region has obviously gone through more than its fair share of negative population and economic trends in the last couple of decades. Unlike OSU and most other Big Ten schools they have a in-state power conference foe. You can overcome those if you have great recruiting geography or elite coaching, but the Wolverines have neither now.

Is it impossible for them to be nationally relevant again? I'll never say never, who knows if Day recruits and develops talent at OSU long-term like Tressel and Meyer did. But more likely than not UM will resemble the likes of modern Tennessee much more than Alabama.

(08-07-2020 01:26 PM)Gamecock Wrote:  

(08-07-2020 12:29 PM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  

(08-07-2020 08:21 AM)Gamecock Wrote:  Personally I think Michigan is a way tougher job than most of their fans realize and Harbaugh is probably doing a pretty decent job.

They’re nuts. Carr was a fantastic coach, and the guy never got the respect he deserved because of the guy(s) he followed.

I agree. Nobody is going to be Bo because those days are gone. And Harbaugh has won 10, 10, 8, 10, and 9. It's very hard to imagine someone topping that under normal circumstances.

"Those days" are 1968-1980 when either Michigan or Ohio State won the Big Ten every year. It's a different world when there are other teams in the conference good enough to potentially win the conference title.

(08-07-2020 03:18 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(08-07-2020 01:26 PM)Gamecock Wrote:  

(08-07-2020 12:29 PM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  

(08-07-2020 08:21 AM)Gamecock Wrote:  Personally I think Michigan is a way tougher job than most of their fans realize and Harbaugh is probably doing a pretty decent job.

They’re nuts. Carr was a fantastic coach, and the guy never got the respect he deserved because of the guy(s) he followed.

I agree. Nobody is going to be Bo because those days are gone. And Harbaugh has won 10, 10, 8, 10, and 9. It's very hard to imagine someone topping that under normal circumstances.

"Those days" are 1968-1980 when either Michigan or Ohio State won the Big Ten every year. It's a different world when there are other teams in the conference good enough to potentially win the conference title.

I was born in 91. Maybe it’s just a reflection of my age but that seems like an awfully long time ago. 1970 was 50 years ago

(08-07-2020 08:21 AM)Gamecock Wrote:  Personally I think Michigan is a way tougher job than most of their fans realize and Harbaugh is probably doing a pretty decent job.

Agree, but is this year to do a play like this with the question mark on the season itself. Will it matter if the season does not really count.

(08-07-2020 08:02 PM)Gamecock Wrote:  

(08-07-2020 03:18 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(08-07-2020 01:26 PM)Gamecock Wrote:  

(08-07-2020 12:29 PM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  

(08-07-2020 08:21 AM)Gamecock Wrote:  Personally I think Michigan is a way tougher job than most of their fans realize and Harbaugh is probably doing a pretty decent job.

They’re nuts. Carr was a fantastic coach, and the guy never got the respect he deserved because of the guy(s) he followed.

I agree. Nobody is going to be Bo because those days are gone. And Harbaugh has won 10, 10, 8, 10, and 9. It's very hard to imagine someone topping that under normal circumstances.

"Those days" are 1968-1980 when either Michigan or Ohio State won the Big Ten every year. It's a different world when there are other teams in the conference good enough to potentially win the conference title.

I was born in 91. Maybe it’s just a reflection of my age but that seems like an awfully long time ago. 1970 was 50 years ago

The addition of Penn State in the 90’s definitely gave all of the Big Ten the kick in the butt it needed to get real in the sport again, and Ohio State and Michigan got a boost it needed. However, so did schools like Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Iowa. When schools without the legacy can stand up to those who have it, those “with it” won’t be happy when success eludes them.

That whole “we should never lose to ...” crowd I so despise at some of these programs. Well, maybe many programs. Michigan’s definitely got ‘em.

None of this matters extra motivation is nit needed for this game.
It was a mistake to call out Day for cheating when it was minor and doing it publicly. I guess its better to do it directly than implying it.

To me Harbaugh has had some tough breaks .
The extra first down vs OSU and blocked punt vs MSU.
His mistakes
Sticking with the wrong quarterback too loyal.
Alabama and Clemson benched championship winning QB's .
Being too stubborn
Playing press coverage with an injury riddled secondary vs OSU.
Forcing the run when the line was niot developed at other times.
He also changed staff members a lot in the first couple years.