It has NEVER been like this for me. I mean, its Michigan. You go into every year thinking Big 11 title, Rose Bowl probably. Maybe even contend for a National Title. Rich Rodriguez changed that. Some things he directly contributed to, a lot of it was/is circumstantial. Either way, since he's been in charge Michigan's gone from powerhouse to JV.

But fuck it. I'm not gonna mope. Its too easy to be pessimistic. I'm gonna get behind my team. I have confidence that Denard Robinson will have learned to run an offence. Im confident that the entire offence will finally be comfortable in Rodriguez's system. I'm confident that the D, which lost 2 starters to the NFL and 1 to season-ending injury, will stop someone.

Fuck it, I'll call my shot. Michigan wins the Big 11! You heard it here first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlS3twJWYSc

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5519832

Rodriguez's spread offense is difficult/impossible to run without quality players. It's difficult/impossible to win game without quality players.

Ironically, it appears that Michigan will have a good offense this year, but they will have a weak defense, ironic because Michigan's last national championship team (split with Nebraska) was the best defensive team in the nation.

LW

I am not all all confident in Forcier though. I really don't like him. I will root for them but I think they are not destined for a good year. Iowa, OSU, Penn St., Wisconson are all tough this year. I want to see how they do against ND next week.

There is nothing wrong with rooting for your team in a decline. I've been one for years. Or, closer to the subject at hand, just look at Cubbies fans (or the blindly rabid ND fan).

As for that big school in Washtenaw county, well it's not going to be their year. If things play out the way they should, the Maise and Blue will fall underneath PSU, OSU and the Hawkeyes and get into a middle of the road bowl, (say 7-6) with a win in San Diego or SF. OTOH, there is a reason they play the games. So, there is always the possibility the folks in A2 can do better than predicted.

As for RichRod, he's on a seat lined in aluminium attached to a bunson burner. In fairness, his system at WVU was very successful and he contended on more than one occasion. However, his system is a paradigm shift from traditional thinking off US-23 & I-94. Regardless of the talent selected, Carr's selections don't align with RR's system. That, along with changing the system, means significant risk. The more seasons it's little blue, the more risk from boosters. More importantly, the more frequently U-M loses, the more likely the Big"however many it turns into" becomes more about Penn State/OSU and big blue fades into middle of the road obscurity like MSU or Purdue (worse case scenario). Or much like Nebraska's position in the Big 12 before their escape to the new BigWitotb.

Personal opinion is that RR is a great coach and can build out a great program. He just can't win the big game. And that's a problem at Michigan where he is required to win 2 out of 3 big games every year. (ND, OSU and the bowl game).

IOWs RRs position is more tenuous in replacing Carr than Gary Moeller in replacing Bo.

In short SW, you can "hail" to victor (of specific games) and whatever works best for Michigan in the long term. Eventually they will once again become the "Champions of the West" and more. Just don't expect those miracles to happen this year.

Sincerely,
a foolishly optimistic Quacker Backer