Be more like Bo... Please

Schembechler coaching Harbaugh
The Detroit News

     Let’s consider Michigan’s last three games against ranked opponents. The trend is not good. We were trounced by Ohio State 62 – 39 in the last regular season of last year.  We were embarrassed by Florida 41 – 15 in the Peach Bowl, and we were manhandled by Wisconsin 35 – 14 in the first Big Ten game of this season. In the first two games of this season, we struggled against Middle Tennessee and it took two overtimes to beat Army. 
     After the Wisconsin game, there was an explosion of posts and discussions calling for a coaching change at Michigan. 
I get it. We are football fans living in the glory days of our program and so wanting a return to those days. We want our Wolverines to be one of the premier teams in the country. We are frustrated that we are not and have not been one for most of this century.
     We are looking for the next Fielding Yost, Fritz Crisler, or Bo Schembechler to deliver us to that promised land. That did not happened with Rich Rodriguez. It did not happen with Brady Hoke. Now, large swathes of the fan base believe it will never happen with Jim Harbaugh who came in with everyone not only believing but knowing that he was the second coming of Bo. His record against the elite programs is not impressive:

• 0-4 vs Ohio State
• 1-9 vs Top 10 teams
• 0-7 where Michigan has been an underdog
• 1-6 on the road against ranked teams
• 5 loses by 21 or more points where 3 of those have been in the last five games
• On the other hand, his record overall at Michigan is 40-15
  

     Oddly, many fans were calling for Michigan to hire Urban Meyer…. Immediately, if not sooner. He left Ohio State at the end of last season and has been working as a commentator this season. So, he is available. If not Urban Meyer, the number two choice seemed to Les Myles. Personally, I can’t even conceive the possibility of Urban Meyer taking the job. The rivalry is simply too big for something like that to happen. On Facebook, someone advocating his being the next Michigan coach, posted a doctored photo of him in a Michigan wind jacket so we could imagine him on the sidelines. The photo made me want to puke. 
     Me? I am not very keen on a coaching change three games into the season. Yes, it is not a great start and if we play like we have thus far, we could lose to Iowa, Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Ohio State. I cannot even imagine the uproar if that happens. I don’t see how Harbaugh could keep his job with a six loss season, no matter how big his contract is. 
     Back in the Schembechler heyday, Michigan lost the last three games of the 1979 season to Purdue, Ohio State, and North Carolina in the Gator Bowl. They began the 1980 season with a win by 7 points over Northwestern. They then lost two games back-to-back to Notre Dame and South Carolina. Things looked pretty dismal back then. Michigan then ripped off nine straight victories including getting the first bowl win in the Bo era by beating Washington in the Rose Bowl. Bo had lost his first seven bowl games. 
     Is it possible that this team under Harbaugh could do something like that? Win-out the rest of the season and whatever bowl game they get to? Sure, it is possible. Is it probable? I don’t think so. In 1979, we lost to Purdue and Ohio State by three points each. We lost the bowl game by 2 points. We lost to Notre Dame by 2 and South Carolina by 3 in 1980. We were in each of those games. In Harbaugh’s case we lost to Ohio State, Florida, and Wisconsin by 21 or more points. We were not in these games. 
     I have no clue how the rest of will unfold. I certainly hope that we win out and do not have to experience yet another coaching change. 
     Go Blue!

Hope Springs Eternal

     I am watching Michigan vs. Army in football. The game is in Ann Arbor and I am watching the game from my easy chair at home. I sold my tickets on StubHub as I have a musical engagement tonight in Chicago. 
     Simply stated, this is a painful game to watch as a Michigan fan. We are playing sloppy and have turned over the ball three times, two of which have led to Army touchdowns and account for Army leading 14 – 7 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. 
     Army is no slouch. They were 11-2 last season and had a 9 game win streak. Their coach Jeff Monken has installed a potent option run attack in an era where spread offenses with wide-open passing dominates. They have a good team and all the pundits said this was going to be a tough game for Michigan. Through 3 Quarters it has been. 
     Army was driving for a third touchdown. On third and 5 to go for a touchdown, Army went for their second pass reception. Michigan intercepted and ran the ball back to about the 15. The offense, with help from a pass interference penalty by Army, moved the ball down the field and scored to tie the game at 14 – 14. 
    The problem for Michigan die-hards is that we are awaiting a return to what Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr the collective record was 360-101-9 and the winning percentage was 78.1%. The won a total of 21 Big Ten titles. Since then, Coaches Rich Rodriguez, Brady Hoke, and Jim Harbaugh an 84-56-0 record with a winning percentage of 60% and no Big Ten Titles. 
      Jim Harbaugh came in as head coach in 2015. The hype was crazy. It was assumed that Michigan would be immediately returning to the glory that many Michigan fans were accustomed to. We would be beating Michigan State and Ohio State again. We would be winning Big Ten titles again and we would be playoff contenders in the BCS. Harbaugh has had an improved record over Rodriguez and Hoke at 38-14 and a 73.6% winning percentage. But, he has most disappointing 0-4 record against archrival Ohio State and a less disappointing 2-2 record in-state rival Michigan State. Bowl games? He is 1-4 winning only in his first year. While his winning percentage is much improved over Rodriguez and Hoke, it has not match Schembechler, Moeller, and Carr. He also has established a reputation of not being able to win the big games. 
     There is 3:50 left in the Army game. The score is still 14-14. Michigan has the ball and has a drive going. The first string quarterback Shea Patterson just got hurt trying to extend a run. The very able Dylan McCaffrey came in on third and short. He handed off for no gain. They went for it on fourth down and didn’t get it. Army is now driving and is close to field goal range with :17 left in the game. I am just sitting here awaiting a sad outcome or overtime. The ball is on the 32 with :02 left. The kicker is attempting his first college field goal attempt. Michigan has just iced him. The kick is up and… we are going into overtime. 
      As fans, we want exciting games. Michigan fans, at this point, want dominating defensive efforts and offenses that put up 14 or more points a quarter. We are just not getting that. 
      Army struck first blood in the OT and leads 21-14. Michigan has to get a TD now. They made it look easy.
     This new offense is not impressive. They turn the ball over too much and run too much for what was supposed to be a no-huddle spread. We are making it look hard. Michigan just scored a TD. We are tied 21-21. 
      Michigan was upfront in the second OT. Three incomplete pass attempts and a field goal gives Michigan a 24-21 lead. Army takes over. They ran on the first two downs. The first was for no gain and the second was for a loss. On third down, Army dropped back to pass, sack, fumble, Michigan recovered, and that is all she wrote. Michigan beats a very good Army team 24-21 in two overtimes.
     Whew!