Jekyll and Hyde

Today, Monday, I find myself lost in my own thoughts, analysis, predictions, and feelings going forward in regards to this team. I am confused, to put it mildly.  Depending on what article I read, person I talk to, or tweet I see, I have two completely different and opposing thoughts and views. Much like that of the famous, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  I'll do my best to put my own confusion and split-personality into words.

The Team. Dr Jekyll wants to stand behind them, support them, believe in them, cheer for them, be patient with them, grow with them. I firmly believe that they try their best. I don't think they intentionally take the field thinking, "Hmmmm, how can I embarrass my team, my coaches, my parents, my school, and myself today?" I truly believe that they go out there trying to win and do what their coaches have coached them to do.  Do they know they will make mistakes, of course, everyone does. But they will learn from their mistakes and come out better next Saturday.

Mr. Hyde, or should it be Mrs. Hyde, well she's not quite so understanding.  She wants to wring their neck, grab them by the face-mask and say, "What in the Sam hell are you doing?!?!? I've never played a down of football in my life and I know what you should do in this instance! Why can't you seem to figure it out? You've been playing this game for as long as you can remember and spend hours upon hours practicing for moments like this.  Did you forget all techniques and fundamentals when the coin was tossed?!?!?! You must be an idiot, fergodsakes!" Oooo, I must admit, it felt good to type that. Moving right along, lets flip back to the rational Dr. Jekyll.

The Coaches. Dr. Jekyll wants to believe that it takes time to develop players, change offensive and defensive systems, build leadership, and make connections with the players, and we as fans just have to be patient.  These are growing pains and unfortunately, part of the process with coaching changes. Also, several of the key positions and players lack starts and game experience. Yes, they may have 4 or 5 stars, but collegiate football is different than high school football. Of course they are going to make mistakes. Mistakes are the only time when true learning takes place.  Be patient, they will come around and make you really proud to be a Michigan fan again. Hang in there.

Mrs. Hyde, well she is much more irate at the pathetic display of player development and is utterly ashamed of being completely out-coached on more than one occasion.  She wants to light a fire under the arse of the head coach and punch him in face when she sees him clapping and butt slapping after his players have done, well, NOTHING in the instance of the Notre Dame game.  There was simply nothing to celebrate, clap hands, or slap butts about on Saturday.  That was a complete and total joke of a football game. Ill-prepared. Embarrassed. Pathetic. Never, not one time, did I clap or feel a shred of excitement. Not once.

So, you see my inner struggle? The only thing I know for sure, is that I will continue to be a Michigan fan until my dying day. That has never wavered and never will.  I won't give up on them. I won't stop going to games. I won't stop watching on my TV. I won't be ashamed to wear my maize and blue. I won't stop singing Hail To The Victors. And I won't stop being passionate about all things Michigan. It's in my blood and it's not going anywhere.

My Pick 6 hopes for the future of Michigan Football:
1. win games
2. develop players
3. make connections
4. find leadership
5. stay passionate
6. don't settle for mediocre

Go Blue!
~Bekki