Why do we always overrate Michigan football? Wolverines are a pretender

Once again, Michigan football is overrated.

I bought into the hype after Michigan football’s season-opening win vs. Minnesota. Joe Milton looked good under center, the offensive line looked strong and the run game was efficient and explosive.

But I was fooled into drinking the Maize and Blue Kool-Aid because Michigan football is overrated, again.

Michigan struggled all game long against in-state rival Michigan State in their 27-24 defeat in the Big House on Saturday. Michigan scored with 36 seconds left otherwise the final score wouldn’t be indicative of how much Michigan State controlled the game. This is the same Michigan State team that committed seven turnovers in their loss to Rutgers last week when they were largely not competitive. Today was a different story as Mel Tucker became the first Spartans head coach to win his debut vs. the Wolverines since Nick Saban in 1995.

Michigan football is always overrated

How do we fall for this every year with Michigan?

It’s not as bad as falling for the return of Miami or the annual question of whether Texas is back, but for whatever reason, the Spartans have “big brother” figured out.

No, Harbaugh is not going to get fired for this loss, but that won’t stop Michigan football fans from rightfully questioning why his team and the program has not shown the week-to-week consistency and dominance they should. It comes in waves and it comes against inferior opponents to mask the weaknesses and shortcomings this team has. Harbaugh is 3-8 overall vs. his two biggest rivals and just 1-6 at home vs. Michigan State and Ohio State and 29-0 against other Big Ten teams.

We thought Michigan boat-racing Minnesota was a good win because P.J. Fleck’s team was good last year and they were ranked in the Top 25 this year. But after the Gophers lost to Maryland on Friday night, the same Maryland team that had their doors blown off last week vs. Northwestern, it’s clear Minnesota may have the worst defense in the nation, and most certainly in the Big Ten.

So, it’s back to the proverbial drawing board for Michigan who has to question everything after another humbling and embarrassing defeat at the hands of Michigan State.

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