Michigan 13 point dog to Bama
Michigan is currently a 13 point underdog to Alabama in the JerryWorld game. (Link: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120215/SPORTS0201/202150407/1131/Michigan-now-13-point-underdog-against-Alabama.)
Personally, even though I'm not much for bets, I'd take Michigan at those odds. Of course, I'm a shameless homer who only roots for Michigan, but I can't see them beating us that soundly.
I also believe that Michigan has an advantage in facing them at the beginning of the season. Denard should have a lot more opportunity to surprise their defense. Even though Alabama has many great incoming freshmen, it always takes a while for newcomers to make solid contributions. We'll see. Of course, it'll be interested to hear RDT's take on the game and the odds.
February 15th, 2012 at 8:46 PM ^
If Denard has 302 total yards, Michigan has a chance. He won't get much more than that. But that could be enough. It's up to the "D" to do the rest.
February 15th, 2012 at 6:38 PM ^
I think if we do everything right, no turnovers, play to our strengths and Denard has a excellent game it will be close and might even get a win.
Now if I can just get my hands on some tickets when they go on sale since I am stationed 2.5 hrs away...
February 15th, 2012 at 11:07 PM ^
I think we'll have to play a near-flawless game to win. Having said that, we return a lot of experience at most of the skill positions, and 'Bama will be breaking in a bunch of new starters. It's certainly doable.
February 15th, 2012 at 7:01 PM ^
greatest move by Brandon? Would Hoke have welcomed it behind the scenes? Do recruiting benefits materialize if we lose by two TDs? Not that that's a foregone conclusion--maybe Denard dances rings of fire around them, but.
A year hence, yes. . .
February 15th, 2012 at 11:16 PM ^
But I, for one, welcome the challenge. I am tired of Michigan playing a steady diet of MAC snacks, and UMass, and Delaware State, etc. To be good, you have to play the best. Better to play them and lose, then to duck them, go undefeated, and be slaughtered in a bowl. This will give Hoke & Mattison & Borges the opportunity to measure Michigan well.
February 16th, 2012 at 12:11 AM ^
Agreed. If Michigan is an elite program, then we can't shy away from playing the very best. If nothing else, this game will give us an idea of where we stand.
February 15th, 2012 at 7:06 PM ^
Is Denard on our team? He's a winner. It's his senior year. Let's shock Jerry's World!
February 15th, 2012 at 7:08 PM ^
February 15th, 2012 at 9:02 PM ^
I don't care how much talent Bama had, Saban is still an excellent coach. Anyone who can win 2 national championships knows how to coach.
February 15th, 2012 at 7:08 PM ^
February 15th, 2012 at 7:29 PM ^
Saban is probably going to play this one close to the vest and I don't see them scoring more than about 24 unless we start turning it over. I think we can score more than 10 given all the new players they are breaking in on defense.
February 15th, 2012 at 7:34 PM ^
Michigan beating Alabama would shake the college football world. Michigan's stock would skyrocket. If Robinson lit up the stats he'd be cover of SI that week.
Michigan losing by a relatively close score, but playing tough, gritty and fundamentally sound football would send a pretty strong signal about Michigan. This is my hoped for worst case.
The worst case is Michigan playing a sloppy game and getting blown out. I really hope that doesn't happen. This is my worst case scenario.
February 16th, 2012 at 1:46 PM ^
one might go so far as to compare it to...the app state game.
/ducks
February 16th, 2012 at 2:18 PM ^
Why did you have to mention both the App st AND the Oregon game in one post. I oughta slug ya.
February 15th, 2012 at 7:43 PM ^
Good I hope everyone picks Alabama. It will make it that much sweeter when we kick their asses!!
February 15th, 2012 at 7:56 PM ^
We got a secret playbook
February 15th, 2012 at 8:04 PM ^
February 15th, 2012 at 8:32 PM ^
February 15th, 2012 at 9:30 PM ^
...except that one could actually bet on it today if they were so inclined. So to that extent, it's relevant. It's not quite the same as some random's sportswriter or fan's prediction, which is completely meaningless.
Also, it's the football offseason. Expect lots of random, barely relevant topics.
February 15th, 2012 at 8:41 PM ^
February 15th, 2012 at 8:48 PM ^
Wouldn't have it any other way.
February 15th, 2012 at 9:01 PM ^
I'm surprised they have Michigan that close.
Predictions are fun. Winning is more fun. I can't wait.
February 15th, 2012 at 9:04 PM ^
While Bama does lose lots of talent, they have tons of talent coming in. They have several players in their class who could make an instant impact.
February 15th, 2012 at 9:54 PM ^
Trent Richardson (NFL) (Doak Walker - Cant replace a walker with a Lacy)...when Alabama cant run it makes the defense have to score points and good luck with that Nicky Poo
Donta Hightower (NFL-Last I heard) scariest defensive player on team (IMO)
Dre Kirkpatrick (NFL) Best Cover DB
Mark Barron (NFL) Best Safety
Nick Gentry - Nasty NT who blew up LSU in the NC who was a senior
Marquize Maze - Devastating punt returner who was a Senior
Cant remember #41 but he was a savage DE who was a Senior
Since the core of the defense and the offense is gone, I'd say we have a chance if and only if we limit our mistakes and take advantage of the few opportunities we get. Alabama cannot and will not replace these guys I mentioned. Furthermore this is Michigan fergodsakes!
February 15th, 2012 at 10:08 PM ^
Their offense will keep us in it. But their defense will ultimately keep us out of it.
February 15th, 2012 at 10:32 PM ^
Bama gonna need Big Shot Bob Horry to hit a three at the buzzer to win this one.
Maybe Bama will bring back Leon Douglass,(Stu's dad I'm pretty sure), to play center.
February 15th, 2012 at 10:57 PM ^
February 15th, 2012 at 11:33 PM ^
These early season games always seems to surprise people.
Everyone will be stroking Alabama before kickoff.
And the Tide will be very good again next fall, but I'm expecting Michigan and the MattMen to be better than expected.
February 16th, 2012 at 12:16 AM ^
These early season games always seems to surprise people.I respect the hell out of Lloyd Carr, but this is one aspect in which I hope Hoke is nothing like Carr. Carr had a maddening tendency to drop early season games that he would have won in November. Let's hope that Hoke has learned from Carr's failures.
February 15th, 2012 at 11:53 PM ^
February 15th, 2012 at 11:56 PM ^
Alabama will win pretty easily. I suspect it's one of those games where we all think we had a chance or a play here and there but really we got manhandled.
They are bigger, faster and more physical. And Saban will scheme defensivelly to make Denard a passer and with no vertical threat will load up the box. Losing Stonum is a massive blow - we have no vertical replacement. Expecting Roundtree and Gallon to beat a very aggressive alabama secondary off the line is difficult.
The other problem is Michigan doesn't adjust offensively to what the defense throws at them. Borges is an unbelievably stubborn coach. He wants Denard to put it in the air vertically with nine in the box when the short timed passing game is wide open. V Tech had one strength - their secondary and frankly we couldn't throw over their cover zero (except to Hemingway). We wouldn't do one bubble screen to test them horizontally and open them up over the middle (or at least back them off). The back seven athletes at Alabama make V Tech look like Indiana.
I think Michigan's defense will do a great job keeping them in the game but the offense will put them at a decided disadvantage that they won't be able to overcome.
February 16th, 2012 at 12:32 AM ^
$100 on Denard at 7 to 1 for the Hesiman and $100 on the Wolverines plus 13 points against Alabama........when I vist next month!
February 16th, 2012 at 12:37 AM ^
Who's going to be our David Terrell?
February 16th, 2012 at 12:38 AM ^
Doea anyone remember what the mood was like in the lead-up to the '91 Florida State game? I think that was the last time we played such a daunting opponent so early in the season.
February 16th, 2012 at 1:27 AM ^
If Michigan can pull off the upset, a bigger spread will make it that much more impressive. Remember, though, the spread is just an indication of how much money people are willing to wager on a given team at a given time.
My experience has been that southerners are more willing to throw money around on "their" football teams than northerners are. Also, some people here have actually spoken about taking Michigan's opponents "with the points" before. I don't often hear any southerners ever talking about betting against their own team, spread or no spread.
Bama should win this game on paper, but they don't play games on paper, and the ball can take funny bounces sometimes.
February 16th, 2012 at 1:33 AM ^
February 16th, 2012 at 3:04 AM ^
February 16th, 2012 at 7:12 AM ^
I'd say first game of the season is advantage Michigan. Plus, who gave Michigan a chance against FL and Tebow? Well, I did. From April to August is the worst time of year. The wait for another football season is terrible, I have to do stuff around the house on weekends... Who cares about baseball, it's just an excuse to drink outside, like golf and nascar. Hope I didn't offend too many of the wine and cheese crowd with the golf crack. Don't see too many of them into nascar, but I could be wrong. Well, I'm done, I like 20-17 M as well. I love Denard too, great video. Still scared when he passes though.
February 16th, 2012 at 9:01 AM ^
Lets say its 9-6 Bama in OT. We run the rest of the schedule, do we get another shot?
February 16th, 2012 at 9:20 AM ^
More than likely, yes.
February 16th, 2012 at 9:21 AM ^
I'm inclined to take the points. We'll be in the top 10 probably and we're facing them at the most favorable time.
February 16th, 2012 at 9:28 AM ^
.. 13 points is a heck of a lot for two teams that are going to be in the top 15 or so to start the year. Alabama is losing quite a bit on D and it's the first game of the season. If I had a life savings to bet, I might think long and hard about putting it on this game with that spread. Of course, that's why I don't have a life savings..
February 16th, 2012 at 9:50 AM ^
I see us scoring between 7-17 points at most and Bama scoring between 14-28. I think we will completely shutdown offensively a la Sugar Bowl but manage to move the ball once or twice in the game. Bama will move the ball, albiet slowly. If we can keep them out of the endzone we will be able to stay somewhat in the game, but I really dont see us getting more than two decent drives in the game. VaTech shut us down and IMO they are nowhere near the talent level of bama. If the line was 17, I'd be more interested.
February 16th, 2012 at 11:13 AM ^
Vegas has it -7.5
where is the 13 coming from?
Bama is losing 14 starters including 9 on defense,sure Bama will be good with some exp but Michigan is catching them at the Perfect time game 1
Michigan 23
Bama 17
February 16th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^
It'll be hard without Molk, Van Bergen, Martin, Hemmingway, Roundtree and that great class of seniors. And it'll be hard going against the current national champions. But quite honestly, it's not impossible. I so badly want Michigan to win.
If Denard doesn't throw a bunch of interceptions and lose the ball, it might be closer than 13. The defense has to stay as good as they have been (if not better), and the special teams has to stay as good as they have been (if not better). I think they might determine how the game will go. Props to Brandon for setting this game up while Rich Rod was still Richrod-ing the program.