The End Zone: Wolverines' 3-9 finish - go figure

I figured the Wolverines wouldn t be so vulnerable to spread offenses, considering they practiced against Rich Rodriguez s spread scheme daily.

I never thought Michigan would be sitting here today done for this season after a 3-9 finish. I didn t see a Big Ten championship or BCS berth, but I thought seven or eight wins and a bowl game were reasonable expectations. I thought UM could lose to Utah in Rich Rodriguez s debut and wasn t sure about Notre Dame.

I never imagined at least when the season started the Wolverines would fall to Toledo or Purdue, drop the seniors last game at the Big House, or even lose to Michigan State. I also couldn t believe, after all that had gone wrong, that they hammered Minnesota like they did. I thought mostly because Rodriguez told us to think that UM s offense would struggle. How s last in the Big Ten in total offense, passing and scoring sound?

I am shocked how poorly the veteran-laden defense performed. I didn t realize Rodriguez would have so many problems besides West Virginia s lawsuit.

I sensed that everyone including me was getting a little too excited about Sam McGuffie. I was convinced UM s stunning, come-from-behind win over Wisconsin would be a turning point.

I figured the Wolverines wouldn t be so vulnerable to spread offenses, considering they practiced against Rodriguez s spread scheme daily. I was wrong a lot in 2008 and have thus lowered my expectations heading into next season.

Maybe I ll be wrong again.