The reason to cheer all-in for Michigan football, still this year, is more games. That's right, we've already had number thirteen. Fourteen is coming up and it is winnable so there could be FIFTEEN. A 15-game season with the potential to be 15-0 is possible.
Michigan's team this year, it is awfully dry, but look at this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_All-Big_Ten_Conference_football_team
It is a balanced with a lot of stars. By this time--13 games--there are more standout players like Donovan Edwards, Colston Loveland, Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, Michael Barrett, Will Johnson, and Mike Sainristil.
Normally this leads to a lot of looking toward next year. You cannot predict that.
Granted, it is the biggest game in 20 years at least for each of these teams, but there is nothing more to analyze or prepare for until New Year's Eve until for this one. The endless blog posts don't offer a thing that's original. You can spy on practices, but they are not going to tell us who is injured. Analyzing the games? There hasn't been one for a month.
This is a once in a lifetime game for the players and you don't want anyone on the trip to Arizona who is not all in. Those who were that eager to run to Iowa, or Connecticut, or Massachusetts are gone. Their loss.
Michigan's team this year has come a long way. Who they are now is not who they were at the beginning of the season, starting with Blake Corum. The hit on his knee was legal and happens often to running backs. That he decided to try and play against Ohio State may mean it isn't serious and he gets to choose his future these days. He is probably the best, or most successful, running back many Michigan fans have ever seen. That was obscured because Donovan Edwards was injured.
Edwards has been amazing. You don't see many guys who can outrun Ohio State's backfield. Even with the cast they threw to him in the endzone! Edwards is of course the same person he was at the start of the season. I know we've seen the receiving before, and I've noticed some attempts at power inside, but now he runs with power inside. His speed is uncatchable! We definitely didn't know he had the moves before Purdue and Ohio State. The way the offensive line is playing and with him in the backfield, anyone would be a fool (e.g., Jim Knowles) to load the box.
I've always felt that is plus for the Michigan team--if you're a 5-star who is grounded enough, you will play. J.J. McCarthy and Donovan Edwards are in the same recruiting class. (Before I forget, McCarthy and Ronnie Bell are working fantastic with each other.) The QB and running back were both early enrollees; together with others (like Junior Colson), these players have already completed virtually three years of football at Michigan.
Even if JJ and Donovan get demolished nineteen different ways by TCU, at their age they'll recover. If you are a star in three years, which pretty much means good enough to start, your life choices are your own and we wish you the best.
Pressure? The highest rated game all season? Purdue's Aiden O'Connell kept Purdue in that game. Michigan may never have a 6th year quarterback, but Alan Bowman will be there! It is that never-defined, always-known Michigan brand. You don't go there and you certainly don't get this far if you cannot take it.
It isn't even about the names I'll try and mention. It is about the 2-deep.
For TCU fans reading this, it is about why Michigan is a dangerous team. For Michigan fans it is about the season so far.
cont'd
The only thing that matters is more games. I enjoy watching them and usually record them.
The B1G championship and CFP are a lot better than an opt-out bowl.
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