3 things Michigan football fans can be thankful for

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, a time when families and friends get together to celebrate everything that they are grateful for, there are a few things that the Michigan football fanbase can be thankful for in what an underwhelming season it has been.

Bowl eligibility

Firstly, the Michigan Wolverines became bowl-eligible with a 50-6 win over Northwestern on Saturday evening. After winning the National Championship in the previous year, getting to six wins and becoming bowl-eligible is a far cry from raising a championship trophy but this is a victory. Through all the inconsistency at quarterback and questionable coaching moves, the Wolverines still managed to win six games. Playing a bowl game is on the complete opposite side of the road than a playoff but at least, the Wolverines will play in some form of a postseason. Also, even with the inconsistency, Davis Warren started the season and is currently the starter heading into next weekend. Whether that says something about the state of the position or Davis Warren is up for discussion.

An impressive win

Secondly, the Michigan Wolverines had their best showing of the year against Northwestern. The Wolverines managed to score 50 points in this game, which was their highest point total of the season. The offense looked balanced and the defense seemed smothering, once reminscent of defenses of years past. Michigan football looked prepared and focused for this game. That is a testament to Moore and his coaching staff. Keeping a team motivated, at this point of a disappointing season, can be difficult but the Wolverines looked ready to play.

Flipping Bryce Underwood

Lastly, Michigan football flipping Bryce Underwood from his commitment to LSU. It is yet to be determined if Underwood is the quarterback of the future but the excitement around the fanbase permeated throughout the weekend. Underwood posed for several pictures on Saturday, even one interestingly enough, with Connor Stalions. (Que all hilarious memes)

This weekend showed Bryce Underwood is already a celebrity in Ann Arbor. In a season, where the biggest excitement was most likely, a last-minute win against USC, the Wolverine fanbase needed something to be optimistic about. If Michigan is able to attract more recruits and make waves in the transfer portal, that optimism will only increase. A fanbase that fell in love with J.J. McCarthy, more for his personality and grit, is desperately seeking a leader at the most important position. If Underwood can be that, it changes the complexion of the future. The Big Ten is a highly competitive conference and Michigan football needs to keep pace.

The Michigan Wolverines end their season schedule, next weekend at bitter rival Ohio State. In the past few seasons, Jim Harbaugh had gotten the better of the rivalry causing the Ohio State fanbase to grumble with resentment towards Ryan Day. Ohio State looks primed to be in the college football playoff. It is does not take out any of the animosity of this rivalry, but it does lessen the excitement with the way the defending national champions have fallen this season. Going into Columbus and getting a win will prove to be a mounting task.

There is optimism for next season and whatever occurs next weekend will not dilute that. The only thing that could heighten that optimism would be if Michigan football somehow pulled out a win and led the Ohio State fanbase to their own period of agony.

Michigan Wolverine fans have things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season. It was a season of what was and what it wasn't, does not need a second glance.