Yeah it was unfortunate. I think Wisconsin will win against Jones because he is completely green and his game isn't suited to the option game. That outcome will depend on how well he throws the deep ball, since Ohio State's offense is basically predicated on read options and bombs downfield. If they do win, we'll have to see if the committee will put them in with a backup QB. It's unfair and it renders all of their prior team accomplishments moot, but I think this committee has a "forward-thinking" approach. They've made it a point to rank teams differently than traditional polls have, so I think they would do something like that.
Still, I don't think Ohio State is one of the top four teams even with Barrett. Some of the B1G defenses are just that terrible, and a team like Minnesota shouldn't crack the top 25. Can you imagine Minnesota against an SEC team in a New Year's bowl? Put your top point total on the SEC team. They have no threat in the forward passing game and they're supposed to take on big and fast front sevens who will be selling out to stop the run. Anyway, I'm rambling
I think this is the beginning of a sea change at Michigan with the hiring of a new coach. Michigan is perilously close to becoming an also-ran program, especially if they make the wrong hire again. If the next coach tanks, we're talking about an entire decade of mediocrity. It's tough to sell tradition to 18 year olds who may not have even heard of guys like Chad Henne, Braylon Edwards, Charles Woodson, etc. 18 year olds like recent history, not their dad's history, so these last seven years have basically created a generation of incoming recruits who don't think much of Michigan's football program. It's a great academic school, so it'll never lose that appeal, but that will only get you so far. It's because of this that I think the administration will be 100% all-in and serious on making the right hire. I think they are prepared to make Harbaugh or Miles the highest-paid college coach. The timing could work out because it looks like the 49ers are tanking and the higher-ups seem to hate Harbaugh for some reason. There will always be the threat of him returning to the NFL, but I'd rather take wins now rather than worry about hypotheticals.
I actually don't think Michigan is that far away. The offense needs a complete overhaul, possibly personnel-wise. But, I think with Speight being the starter at QB (there's no way Shane Morris should beat him out) and Green returning at RB, really all they need are better approaches to coaching the offensive line and the receivers. I imagine Funchess will be gone, but the receivers are awful. Watching Darboh is painful. He has no idea how to get separation, he is always blanketed. Anyway, that kind of stuff. The offensive line has to work on footwork and that type of thing. They are a young unit and with the right coaching, they could grow into something passable. Gardner holds on to the ball too long, so that had a lot to do with the issues they had. Harbaugh would be perfect because he could bring back Michigan football, with fullbacks and huge size upfront. It could help out a guy like Speight by not putting too much on his plate. Anyway, I can dream, can't I?
