Reasonable Expectations for Michigan Football……
Reasonable: “having sound judgement; fair and sensible”
Expectations: “belief that something will happen/occur in the future; that someone will or should achieve something.”
What then should be reasonable expectations of Michigan Fans regarding the achievement(s) of Michigan Football?
Some in the Michigan Fanbase expect nothing less than National Championships. But is this reasonable? I don’t think so. Given that Michigan has been awarded but 1 National Championship in the last 70 years (and that championship came about unexpectedly) it makes no sense what so ever for any Michigan fan to expect any Michigan Football team to ever win a National championship and any Wolverine fan who expects this, is being unreasonable if not outright delusional…….
What about an FBS Playoff appearance(s)? Again this is not something that any reasonable Michigan fan should expect to happen. I mean, geee if does, great! But don’t ever expect it or think it should be a goal. The last 2 Fbs playoff lineups didn’t even include any Big 10 team and the last 3 did not include the Big 10 Champion and the last 2 Big 10 teams to play in the playoffs were so soundly destroyed by the competition as to render the Big 10 Conference as little more than just barely above a Group of 5 conference champion……..
What then are reasonable expectations – if any – for Michigan Football?
East Division Chasmpionships? Sure its reasonable for fans to expect the Wolverines to win this division at least 3 times in every decade, anymore than that? Probably not.
I think its reasonable for Michigan fans to expect Big 10 Champioships maybe again 30% of the time. Given Michigan’s football history & tradition, 3 times in any decade is to be expected. If this isn’t happening then there’s a problem somewhere in the Football program. Given the state of the Big 10 West, if Michigan wins the East, they should be the favorite and expected to win the Championship game.
What are reasonable expectations within the division?
Michigan’s last 70 year record vs its principle competition: The MOPs – Msu, Osu, Psu is 80 – 78 -4 a winning % below .500……..
40% winning percentage vs OSU
54% winning percentage vs Msu
64% winning percentage vs Psu
Reasonable Expectations today then are at best to beat OSU 1 out of 3 times; to beat MSU 3 out of 5 times and PSU probably about the same 3 out of 5 times. And of course one must expect a twice a decade hiccup agaisnt the likes of Maryland or Indiana.
Overtime then, Michigan should be expected to break about even against the MOPs and IF Michigan wins against all 3 in ’19 the Wolverine record under Harbaugh against the Mops will be 8-7 approximating Michigan’s long term average……
For ’19 then, given Michigan’s present state, talent, schedule, and the state of the MOPs it is my expectation(reasonable or not) that the Wolverines go thru the Big 10 undefeated, win the Big 10 East & Big 10 Championship.
FBS Playoff appearance?? Ahhhh No……..
As I See It……….INTJohn
