29 Comments
May 2, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Hey Scott, great write-up! I think a lot of the Michigan twitter thinks that we're in tier 1 when we are really in Tier 2 or 3? I believe in Harbaugh and I think we can get there. We're 2 great DTs away from making some noise in the division. Love your stuff, keep it up.

Expand full comment
author

Much appreciated, Pete.

Expand full comment
May 4, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Wow , Well written and on point!! The ONLY thing that you didn't touch on is the quarterback play. ALL great teams have an elite quarterback and that is something we haven't had yet. In the late 90's and 2000's we had the best QB in the conference and we haven't in a long time. I think that is one of out biggest issues!?!

Expand full comment

This has been Michigan’s achilles in the past and I believe those days are over.

Expand full comment
May 4, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Best Michigan piece I’ve digested in a long long time. Thank you!

Expand full comment
May 2, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Great piece! You’ve echoed a lot of what I have said to my Michigan-hating friends. If OSU wasn’t at an all-time high I think things would be a little different. And I firmly believe that if the refs had properly spotted the ball in 2016 the whole narrative changes. Keep up the good work and giving us some real Michigan fans an honest take on things.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for the kind words

Expand full comment
May 2, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Really well done Scott! I appreciate the perspective you bring. While I agree with many of your points on the program, aside from needing to beat Ohio State, our road record against top tier schools (Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin) leaves a lot to be desired. Do you have a take on why we struggle so much there?

Expand full comment
author

I’ll dig in deeper on this in a future mailbag, too. Thx.

Expand full comment
May 2, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Hey man, Alabama alum and Michigan fan by association (best buddy is all blue, through a and through). Incredible write up and I wholeheartedly agree Harbaugh‘s extension is a must. With Michigan’s reach (read: “ability to generate money”), student-athlete endorsements are going to be a huge selling point in recruiting come ‘21. Now please, for the love of humanity, beat Ohio State!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment
May 2, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Great points. Excellent research and writing. Thank you.

Expand full comment
author

‘Preesh!

Expand full comment
May 2, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Good piece - and I’ve very staunchly opposed a lot of your twitter takes. I want your thoughts on the Big House atmosphere. I’m going into my senior year at Mich and grew up going to games and honestly it just seems like a pretty average fan experience for the size of the stadium.

Expand full comment
author

I’ll tackle this in a future mailbag. I definitely don’t think your thoughts are unfounded, though.

Expand full comment

I’ve been to a lot of games in different stadiums and Michigan is easily one of the best. Saw them play Penn State in 18 and I’ve never heard a crowd get so riled up for the defense. Obviously it can’t compete with a night game at the swamp, but as far as a quality football experience it’s pretty great.

I had to suffer through 4 years of mediocre Mizzou football where the stadium would empty out half way into the 3rd. Consider yourself lucky you can see post-2014 Michigan football games on a regular basis.

Expand full comment
May 1, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Nice work, very thorough.

Expand full comment
author

I appreciate that — thanks.

Expand full comment
May 1, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

Very nice and well written and thought out article. I wholeheartedly agree, Harbaugh needs to get that extension soon if Michigan is to maintain nevertheless attempt to close the gap with OSU in recruiting. I just wonder in this new financial world with the emergence of COVID 19 if it is less of a priority at this time. Go Blue!!

Expand full comment
author

Good point. Very good chance that’s a factor. Thanks for reading.

Expand full comment
May 1, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

You didn’t mention the issue with retention; too many players have transferred out...there’s got to be more to the story there.

Expand full comment
May 2, 2020Liked by Scott Bell

The transfer thing is definitely new but not specific to this program. I believe that if you recruit at a high level, then some of those players will get beat out and choose to take the easier route of transferring. Nothing against those players but that's the landscape right now.

Expand full comment
author

I don't think it's as unique to Michigan as you may think. But it's something worth looking into. Please ask about it in a future mailbag and I'll definitely take a look. Thanks for reading.

Expand full comment

Nice job, really well done

Expand full comment
author

Thanks!

Expand full comment

Great analysis Scott. Curious if the staff changes is concerning - Mattison, Various offensive coordinators, etc. I assume it hurts scheme continuity and recruiting relationships. I realize it happens, but is the UM situation excessive? Thanks!

Expand full comment

Awesome work! I've tried to tell many people similar things that you've written here. The media likes to use Harbaugh as a punching bag and Michigan for click bait. He's far from the Hotseat and we're a few fluke plays/bad calls away from avoiding all of the "Big Game" garbage the media keeps talking about. Thanks for this!

Expand full comment

So I hate Harbaugh less now... but my soul needs that big win!!!

Expand full comment

This seems like a bunch of fluff and BS. Michigan is not in the same tier as Auburn, Auburn actually beats their rival. UM hasn’t been relevant for damn near a generation. They’re in the 12-15 range.

Expand full comment