^{_{THE SPORTS POTATO}}

SUBSCRIBE HERE

_{Sponsored By:}

Pinball Petes, Brown Jug, Pizza House, Ricks, Scorekeepers, Pancheros, Mr. Spots, Blimpie Burger, Maize & Blue Deli, Red Hot’s, Backroom, Pizza Bob’s, Good Time Charlies, China Gate, NYPD, and the Arb. Everyone got in for the 2nd season of the Potato! :)

The Potato was 10 years old when he became a Michigan fan. 1987 was the year as my oldest brother headed to Ann Arbor, and pretty quickly, I became hooked. It wasn’t just a game for me by this point (and still today), it was a family affair as all my other brothers went to UM as well. As Michigan went so did the Potato clan.

8 years later I headed to Ann Arbor as a student and in my junior year, 1997, I was blessed with winning a National Title as a student. Nothing can get much better as a sports fan – you only have 4 years to get it done – and it’s hard enough to win it anytime.

It was special, to say the least.

27 years later Michigan couldn’t deliver a title again. Its toll on me and all Michigan fans was crushing.

The epic losses added up from App. St to the Game of the Century 1 to MSU block punt to Game of the Century 2 and the spot to the Georgia massacre to the TCU debacle… the list was long and painful.

But I never gave up as a fan. I watched every game they played. And, always believed. Covid struck and things were dark that season. Very dark. But as Churchill said, “if you’re going thru hell, keep on going.” I stayed the course.

And, then 2023/24 came and as the Potato said to start last season, it was the most important season in Michigan football history. It was that big.

The veteran team grinding it out for three years getting better and better, and putting all the cards on the table for one last dance. This was it. JJ. Corum. Harbaugh.

The list of great players to give it one last rodeo was long and plentiful.

And, boy, did they deliver.

The greatest last champion of college football as we know it.

They ran over Penn St., they outclassed Ohio State, they willed their way against ‘Bama, and Washington, while a great team, had no chance as Michigan was clearly the only team of ultimate destiny last season.

The monkey is off the back. While 1997 was the most fun title for Michigan fans, 2024 was by far the most meaningful.

So, where do we go from here? How does a sports fan react the next season after winning the whole shebang in the most painful and special way?

Sure, a loss won’t sting as much (especially with a 12 team playoff)… but the Potato says let’s get back to work. We’re Michigan. Those who stay will be champions. And, I want to repeat! But, it won’t be easy.

A brutal schedule and a ton of new players will have to step up fast for us to make the 12 team dance.

Can we do it? Sure. But, the Potato is projecting a 9-3 season. 10-2 and we’re definitely in and super dangerous. 9-3 and given our schedule we’ll be right on the bubble, likely looking out even if we would be one of the top 12 teams.

But, let’s take it one game at a time because as a Michigan fan we always believe we can win every game!

FRESNO ST +21.5 at MICHIGAN: This is a sneaky very tough matchup. Fresno St. is no slouch and is full of veterans. Given Michigan’s new faces on offense, things will be dicey early, but Michigan will run and run some more. If we were old-school last year, we’ll be geriatric this season.

The defense is still loaded so Michigan will play it conservatively all season. The Potato is a bit concerned about the DC’s aggresiveness going to Don Brown level, but he’ll be smart and trust the incredible front four to get it done - and they will.

Maybe if the OC gets creative, they throw in some option wrinkles and even some option throws as Orji will do his best work out of the pocket where he can run or pass. Expect a ton of Wildcat. Expect a lot of WR hand-offs or reverses to Morgan and Morris. Big Game Don will run for 125+ yards and will be a PPR machine with a bunch of screens, and Orji will run for 100, too. Michigan will be up 13-7 at half, and then early in the 4^th score a TD to put the game away, followed by a pick 6/or sack fumble to wrap it all up… but they won’t cover.

Prediction: Michigan 30-13

The Potato is thinking about doing a podcast on not just football, a little bit of everything and interviews with interesting folks. If you like this idea, let the Potato know!