After a mid-season surge led Michigan’s football team to the forefront of the College Football Playoff debate, they were embarrassed against Ohio State. Heading into the bowl season, they’re now 10-2 without a Big Ten championship in what seems like ages, and without any significant success against their rival in just as long.

The Michigan hats and t-shirts that were becoming more and more popular around town have seemingly gone away.

The optimism that had built is gone.

And people who were claiming that Jim Harbaugh had finally figured it out are now asking whether he’s the right fit going forward.

As I’ve reflected on this situation over the last week, I keep coming back to Kendrick Lamar’s song Mortal Man. 

The chorus reads:

“When s*** hit the fan, is you still a fan?”

It’s not a question of if, but when.

Regardless of how well things are going, there will always be a setback. Whether it’s a football season, a music career, a relationship, a job, a project, or whatever. Things will go wrong. The world has a curious way of bringing us back to earth.

So when that happens, who’s left standing with you?

Will your fans put the team hat back on after a loss?

Will your friends buckle down and help you through a difficult time when you need it most?

When things go wrong (as they inevitably will), will you still be there?

-Brandon