football

Saw this this a.m.  One writer's take on teams living on the edge that can be expected to fall, and those that have been losing close games but may turn it around. Typical off season speculation, but what else are you going to do ...

Of slight note, Michigan plays three "Luck is turning" teams and one "Luck is Running Out."

So here's the question to the community: do you have other teams not on Rivals list in either category (or in a broader sense, teams you think that may outperform or underperform expectations this year)?  

Here are a few of mine:

Improved.

I like EMU to win 4-5 (yes, even without Johnny Sears.) Considering they O'fered last year, this shouldn't be too tough, and they were competitive in some games in 09.

Miami. Canes will get a lot of pub over the summer, I would expect—they're not really off the radar. But I like them for a national title run, if they can make it through the first week in October going 3-1 or 4-0.  No small feat, though, going to OSU, Pitt and Clemson.

Moving on Down.

Georgia. They're coming off a mediocre year.  The SEC East is a bit down, so that may be one of the few things going for them. New DC coming in to help a unit that struggled last year. No QB on roster with a meaningful snap. Status quo or worse for the Dawgs.

CMU. Losing LaFevour obviously hurts (maybe more than Florida losing Tebow).  Who knows what kind of HC Enos will make. Lots of questions. 

According to both facebook, wikipedia, and the official site, today is Rich Rod's birthday.

I wasn't going to post this, but I know somebody will, so I may as well do it and keep it level headed.

Drew Sharp has an article in today about the submission of the report to the NCAA. I refuse to post a link, but I will say this. Though it's obviously done through gnashing, clenched teeth, he manages to say something that sounds almost like, 'What Michigan is accused of isn't really that bad, and certainly not as bad as the MSU Institutional Control problems of 15 years ago.' He then goes on to say that he has faith in David Brandon and the staff to hit the appropriate points so that the NCAA won't come down harder, nor will they be too hard on themselves, and put the whole thing behind them.

He does take a parting shot at Rodriguez, saying that "time will sort out the coaching situation", but even that isn't necessarily all that bad, as he doesn't outright call for Rodriguez' job.

All told, for once, Sharp did not make me want to bludgeon him. It's still not really worth reading, though, as it has little substance.

The Rimington Trophy committee has released its 2010 Spring Watch List for its award honoring the nation's top center.  Michigan RS Jr C David Molk is on the list for the second straight year.  The list includes 37 players, 17 of whom are returning players from the 2009 Watch List. Other Big Ten players on the list are Ohio State's Mike Brewster and Northwestern's Ben Burkett.

Not sastified with speculation over a 16 team Big Ten, this establishes the over at 20 teams:

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x1860200381/Conference-shakeup-not...