Okay, everyone settle down. The 2009 season is over for Michigan Football.
Long time fans, like myself, aren't quite used to not anticipating our bowl matchup. We're used to planning our exact location when we plan on being hungover and not moving for hours on end, on New Years Day. But, just like last years fate, we now have to patiently wait for 10 months before we can yell at our TVs and furiously argue with state fans about how we hate each other.
We're used to 8 or 9 win seasons, year after year (state fans call this 'arrogance', we call it tradition). We're used to having a very good team (not great), that competes for a Big Ten title every year. To sum it up, we're used to winning football games, plain and simple.
Then Rich Rodriguez comes in and "ruins" the tradition of UM Football, and loses a combined 16 games in two years of work.
This, most Michigan fans would say, is a problem. But I'm one of the optimistic few that think Michigan Football is going to be just fine. And actually, I'd bet that they will be better than fine, competing for Big Ten titles as soon as next year, and National Titles by the 2012 season.
Why so optimistic you say? I'll start with the facts. The 2009 roster was 70% Freshman and Sophomores. There were many Sophomores and a few Freshman to actually play a lot of downs in Big Ten games this year. (this obviously doesn't count the redshirt freshman players who are lifting and practicing every day during the season, and were part of RR's first complete recruiting class)
Next year, UM returns 9 of 11 starters on offense AND defense.
All of this equates to experience. And this is most crucial for a Rich Rodriguez coached team. He started off with players remaining from a traditional "pro-style" offensive system. The switch to a spread offense isn't going to be easy for players who have played their whole lives in a traditional offense. It takes time, coaching, and experience actually playing within the new system.
This season showed glimpses of how good this offense can be with the type of players necessary to run it. Even with multiple catastrophes throughout the season (TURNOVERS GALORE), they were one of the better offensive teams in the Big Ten. Tate Forcier obviously has the potential to be a good, possibly great quarterback for this team. He, along with the rest of the youngsters, will only get better. That makes me happy, because that offense is really fun to watch when it's 'on'.
Defense is another story. With three different coordinators in three years, there is obviously not much consistency on this side of the ball. The defense looked solid for parts of the season this year, but the second half was horrible. The only game they looked good (minus Delaware State...) was the ohio state game. If they give Robinson three years of coaching with this young team, they could be solid. I'll need to see some improvement next year first, but for now, I'll trust his experience.
All I know is this, the new staff is recruiting very well for their system, and I can see things getting better on the field. The only thing holding this team back is lack of experience, and they're going to get a lot of that next year. With more and more players graduating early and coming to UM in January, spring practices are very helpful for a young team like this. Another point to make with recruits, when they come to see a UM game, or watch one on TV, they're seeing playing time.
I'm calling for 8 wins in 2010, and continual Big Ten Championships afterward, with a few National Titles sprinkled in there (obv).
So, like an msu or a Lions fan, I'll leave you with this:
"There's always next year."
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