Second, there’s a grudging recognition that this isn’t really good for us; wins over bitter rivals are important, but much less so when they’re self-destructing. We’re much more likely to beat up on Michigan over the next few years now while the program rebuilds, but it will mean less.

Third, there’s a bit of relief. In Dick Rod’s three seasons, he improved from 3-9, to 5-7, and finally 7-6; he had found his Pat White in Denard Robinson, and he was just starting to get his own players into his system. Assuming he would have fired Greg Robinson and hired a more competent Defensive Coordinator, Michigan could have been a legitimate threat in the coming years.

Instead, Brandon pulls the trigger and finds himself left with without an acceptable replacement. Calling Brady Hoke? I’ll be the last one to dump on a prospective coach for “lacking experience at the highest level of college football” after watching Kelly’s first season, but it’ll be a tall task. An offensive system change, even a most one, will probably see Denard Robinson and lots of their offensive players transfer to other schools, resulting in another 3-4 transition period while Dick Rod’s recruits get phased out.

On balance, I’m going with my first reaction: this couldn’t be happening to a more deserving school. Muck Fichigan!