What does timing have to do with it? Because you are still ok after game #2 as a freshman. After about midway you start to hit a wall. Especially if your 5'10" and 185lbs. My statement is more a testament to DickRods coaching ability, so like I said if things remain as they are I will be chalking up UM and USC as automatic losses.
I really don't think that much of RichRod's coaching. They beat us, and I'll give him a lot of credit for that, but I think using Denard Robinson for the last drive against Iowa negates that good coaching job. They are still a year behind ND in terms of their rebuilding process. I thought they were on par with us after their win and then holding on against Indiana, but the past couple weeks have shown they are losing close games and compare more to ND in 2008, not 2009. I kind of figured when the year started 10-2 for us and 7-5 for them. I'm still going with that and next year I expect us to be a preseason top 5-10 team and Michigan to be 20-25. The rebuilding process goes:
1) Lose by a lot
2) Lose close games
3) win close games
4) win by a lot
We're in step 3, they're in 2. They're still a year behind and in terms of coaching and talent were pretty much on par. Always have been and pretty much always will be. Since the series started up again in the 40s and then again in the 70s, Michigan has never won 3 times in a row, let alone 4. Not gonna happen.
