the bowl game and more

6 of 22 starters either did not play or are going pro early.

It is Harbaugh's fault.  But it also fair to say it is in the air.  Maybe it is too big a job and you have to be dull and workmanlike to succeed.  The uniqueness and energy that he exhibited in the first years are gone.

At a place like Michigan it is even harder.  Despite all the money and staff change does not come easy.  Still, Harbaugh is single-highhandedly in control.

10-3 is a good year but it is not arrogant to say it ended horribly.  And it lingers in terms of player turnover, more staff changes, altogether a future that is uncertain.  Yes these same problems are occurring elsewhere in college football and a lot of places are worse off.  Michigan has a lot to offer and they will and already have reloaded.  The new coaches will probably be very good too.

For me it has a lot to do with not being top-4 worthy.  That's what we all thought Harbaugh would do, but instead the whole program is about beating-up on the little guys and claiming you are great.  Be just good enough to play in prime time and get the bucks should be the motto.

Don Brown is the foremost practitioner.  Leave the starters in, harass the vulnerable, and run up the stats.

Then go out and look for a better job.

Harbaugh really isn't the manager of the whole process that I thought he would be.

But me, yes I am an alum, I like to watch the games, and I also like writing about them.  But I don't dress in maize and blue and walk three miles through parking lots to watch the games.  Nor do I dress my kids in maize and blue and drive from dreary Detroit, Traverse City, or anywhere else to attend.  There are people much more into it than I am and Harbaugh is failing them all.

The bowl game--and the news before and after surrounding the football team--was awful.  It was pretty close to not even trying.

As if the third offensive coordinator and half a new defensive staff is really going to solve the problems.  The off-season promises to be more of the same.  I didn't see much of a passing attack from Shea Patterson in the Ohio State game or the bowl game. 

The only question left is, Why is Brandon Peters still there?

Updated 1/15/19