Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from the Wolverines 2017 season
By Connor Boyer
Winning the big one
The most disheartening thing about being a Michigan football fan is facing the reality that the Wolverines have grown a reputation of being unable to win on the big stage. For some reason no matter what the circumstances, Michigan seems unable to close out and win big games. Jim Harbaugh’s record against rivals is becoming glaringly surreal as time goes on and as his record gets worse and worse.
His record stands at 1-5 against MSU and OSU, that lone victory coming against a Spartan team that ended the year 3-9. It leaves a lot to be desired. Coach Harbaugh is paid nine million dollars a year. He wasn’t brought in and given that salary to be taking the team to Rome. Or to be getting into Twitter spats with Paul Finebaum.
He was brought in to beat Ohio State and to win Big Ten championships. Look, maybe that will happen while Harbaugh is the coach, but as time goes on, the pressure needs to be turned up to bring the results that are expected.
As the regular season is over its now time for Michigan to look forward to 2018, and to work towards improving. There will be a bowl game to play but its frustrating to end a year again with Michigan fans hoping that next year is the year.
The term “next year” has become a common phrase among Michigan football fans. Its tough to see another year end in disappointment, and another loss at the hands of the Buckeyes. But as the saying goes all things must come to an end. That includes this run of dominance that the Buckeyes have had over Michigan. Hopefully next year is the year that begins to change.
Michigan football will be returning a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball next year. If the Quarterback position can be figured out in the off season then maybe the pieces may begin to seem to be in place to make a run in 2018.
Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs of All Time
I’m not calling for Jim Harbaugh’s job by any means, but if next year is another year where Michigan can’t beat its rivals, and doesn’t even compete for a Big Ten title, things may start to become very uncomfortable in Ann Arbor.