I am sure PJ Fleck is realizing that he isn't in Kalamazoo anymore. Being 1-11 in a college in Kalamazoo, Michigan is easier to deal with the press than in the Twin Cities if he had the same result... At Western Michigan, the biggest towns around them(Lansing, Ann Arbor, South Bend, and even Chicago have their own area college teams to follow so the coaches at Western Michigan do not have to face a rabid press group after a loss. Or even a season of losses...College football in a big city is very different and I am sure PJ is feeling it a bit.
All coaches say they ignore what is written or on TV with local or national newscasts but they are reminded by reporters, all the time, of something that is either a rumor or what is written in the press.. Plus, they are surrounded by people who do pay attention to what is said or written so they may not read the internet or newspapers or watch the news but I am sure are fully aware of what is being said. We will see the resiliency and resolve of Fleck and staff after these remaining games.. It is very possible that we lose almost all our remaining games or turn things around and show the fight necessary to win games down the stretch. He cant make trades with other programs for players so he is locked in to what he has for the rest of the season. This is when character truly has a chance to be demonstrated to the players, fellow coaches, employees of the University, and fans. The local press wont make it easy with constant repetitive questions that suggest if the staff did different things, they would win games or play better.
I think Wisconsin is the class of the west and as I have said, I don't see them getting beat until they reach the conference championship game..But I do STILL think we can compete with the rest of the west.. However the Badgers are a rivalry game of ours and Michigan State showed what that meant to them yesterday at Michigan. Besides, WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN BLOWN OUT AND BEEN IN THE GAME IN OUR LOSSES.. Yes we probably should have beaten both teams. But that is water over the dam at this point.
I see rest of the west like this.
Illinois - We should beat them, especially at home..Plain and simple.
Iowa - Penn State game was actually impressive for the Hawkeyes and the Iowa State victory looking a lot better after the Cyclones beat Oklahoma at Norman. Tough game for the Gophers in this one.
Northwestern- Is an unknown to me.. The Duke loss was bad but the last 2 games are hard to evaluate as they lost to probably the 2 best teams in the Big Ten in back to back weeks.. Dont know what to think about the game against Minnesota
Nebraska - has not had an impressive win and the way that Oregon is playing, the comeback by the Huskers is looking less and less impressive. They will probably get hammered by Ohio State this week before getting to their bye week. We may have a good shot at these guys
If 'Ifs' and 'buts' were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas. IF Rhoda didnt fumble.. If we would have finished the drive with a TD instead of a field goal.. I understand the meltdowns but we still arent that far away from getting wins.. We will recruit better and I still feel our best days are ahead.. But it may not be this season but that is yet to be revealed.
All coaches say they ignore what is written or on TV with local or national newscasts but they are reminded by reporters, all the time, of something that is either a rumor or what is written in the press.. Plus, they are surrounded by people who do pay attention to what is said or written so they may not read the internet or newspapers or watch the news but I am sure are fully aware of what is being said. We will see the resiliency and resolve of Fleck and staff after these remaining games.. It is very possible that we lose almost all our remaining games or turn things around and show the fight necessary to win games down the stretch. He cant make trades with other programs for players so he is locked in to what he has for the rest of the season. This is when character truly has a chance to be demonstrated to the players, fellow coaches, employees of the University, and fans. The local press wont make it easy with constant repetitive questions that suggest if the staff did different things, they would win games or play better.
I think Wisconsin is the class of the west and as I have said, I don't see them getting beat until they reach the conference championship game..But I do STILL think we can compete with the rest of the west.. However the Badgers are a rivalry game of ours and Michigan State showed what that meant to them yesterday at Michigan. Besides, WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN BLOWN OUT AND BEEN IN THE GAME IN OUR LOSSES.. Yes we probably should have beaten both teams. But that is water over the dam at this point.
I see rest of the west like this.
Illinois - We should beat them, especially at home..Plain and simple.
Iowa - Penn State game was actually impressive for the Hawkeyes and the Iowa State victory looking a lot better after the Cyclones beat Oklahoma at Norman. Tough game for the Gophers in this one.
Northwestern- Is an unknown to me.. The Duke loss was bad but the last 2 games are hard to evaluate as they lost to probably the 2 best teams in the Big Ten in back to back weeks.. Dont know what to think about the game against Minnesota
Nebraska - has not had an impressive win and the way that Oregon is playing, the comeback by the Huskers is looking less and less impressive. They will probably get hammered by Ohio State this week before getting to their bye week. We may have a good shot at these guys
If 'Ifs' and 'buts' were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas. IF Rhoda didnt fumble.. If we would have finished the drive with a TD instead of a field goal.. I understand the meltdowns but we still arent that far away from getting wins.. We will recruit better and I still feel our best days are ahead.. But it may not be this season but that is yet to be revealed.
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