Michigan Football: Tidbits from DieHard5661 — I’m Sorry But…

Posted at 5:30am — 10/28/2013

Michigan Football: Tidbits from DieHard5661 — I’m Sorry But…

Some of us need a reality check about where this program was when Hoke got here and what it takes to build a program back up from mediocrity.

When Hoke got here this program was 15-22 in the last three seasons.

January 1,2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive linesman Taylor Lewan (not pictured) holds his helmet against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first quarter of the 2013 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsCompare that to Florida pre-Meyer, Bama pre-Saban, Stanford pre-Harbaugh, MSU pre-Dantonio, and Florida State pre-Fisher

Alabama 22-14
Florida 23-14
Florida State 23-16
Michigan 15-22
Michigan State 14-21
Stanford 10-23

Does that put something in perspective for you? When Hoke came here, we weren’t close to the “mediocre” program Bama, Florida and Florida State were. We were, literally, on par with MSU and Stanford. If you want to argue we were “on the rise” because we went 7-6 our final year under RR, fine.

Let’s look at those programs fared after year 3 of their new coaches tenure (let’s be fair and project Michigan at 9-4 with losses to MSU, OSU and their bowl game):

Alabama 33-8
Florida 31-8
Florida State 31-10
Michigan 28-11
Michigan State 22-17
Stanford 17-20

Nov 24, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke talks to offensive linesman Michael Schofield (75) in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsSo what does it mean? Who knows. But the numbers are what they are. Of the coaches who inherited sub .500 programs, Hoke had, by far, the most success. If Michigan had Eastern and Western on their schedule instead of Bama and ND, we would be on par, record wise, with Florida under Meyer (in fact, we STILL could end up there, but we are being realistic at this point).

Do I think we are on level Saban had Bama or Meyer had Florida? Not close. But don’t I think Hoke inherited the same talent/depth they did either (don’t forget what an elite recruiter Zook was).

Has Hoke turned around Michigan at this point? Absolutely. To argue otherwise is ludicrous. But are we where we need to be to compete at the highest level? Not there yet either.

January 1, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Greg Mattison prior of the 2013 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsThis year hasn’t been pretty but a young/inexperienced team is usually never pretty. There are some mistakes that have been made that, if we want this program to achieve the success of the Bama/Florida’s of the world, need to change.

But this sky-is-falling stuff needs to stop. We may lose to MSU and OSU this year, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t headed in the right direction, nor does it mean their programs are light years ahead of ours. I think both are at, or ahead, of Michigan right now. But look at the hit Dantonio’s recruiting has taken since Hoke arrived and lets see how Meyer’s team fares in year 3, post Miller, Hyde, Roby, Shazier and an entire OL, before we start believing we will never compete with OSU again.

The future is bright, even if it isn’t coming as quickly as we had hoped.

Come to the message board and give us your thoughts, agree or disagree.

Just a reminder you must be a member to participate on the Message Board. Here is the link for the registration page for those people interested in becoming a GBMWolverine member of our message board. GBMWolverine Register.

Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment. Make note that our message board has changed so make sure you change your favorite/bookmark as well for the direct link.

You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine

Follow us on Twitter:
@ErocWolverine
@GBMWolverine
@Mike Fitzpatrick
@YostMeister

Written by GBMWolverine Poster — DieHard5661

Go Blue — Wear Maize!