ESPN's Football Power Index has us #18 in 2014
That would put us ahead of MSU and Wisconsin, and second only to Ohio in the Big 10.
Here's the methodology, if like me you are both inherently suspicious of these kinds of things and, well, kind of addicted to them. 2014
(Sorry if someone already posted--I can't seem to search effectively.)
Here's the table pared down to the Big Ten and the overall rankings:
Team | Offense Ranking | Defense Ranking | Special Teams Ranking | Overall Ranking |
6. Ohio State | 5 | 21 | 28 | 6 |
18. Michigan | 23 | 16 | 56 | 18 |
23. Wisconsin | 18 | 40 | 29 | 23 |
24. Michigan State | 48 | 20 | 23 | 24 |
37. Iowa | 51 | 32 | 43 | 37 |
38. Indiana | 11 | 76 | 81 | 38 |
39. Maryland | 63 | 26 | 22 | 39 |
43. Nebraska | 54 | 35 | 58 | 43 |
46. Penn State | 56 | 33 | 106 | 46 |
52. Northwestern | 61 | 43 | 35 | 52 |
59. Rutgers | 60 | 65 | 14 | 59 |
67. Minnesota | 77 | 58 | 30 | 67 |
73. Illinois | 66 | 71 | 115 | 73 |
96. Purdue | 95 | 98 | 68 | 96 |
I sure am damn sad at how far we done fell. I mean, to think "Wow, 18 that's WAY too high, right?" is a dark day for a Michigan football fan.
Well when I went to Michigan (78-81) we went to two Rose Bowls, won one finished #4 in the country twice, #10 once and #18 once and had an overall record of 37-9.
So I'm with ya on the massively lowered expectations blowing big time cause #18 ranking was Bo's lowest since he arrived on campus and the first year he ever lost four games.
Now we get excited at being ranked #18. I liked it better when we were the hammer - being the nail sucks.
When I was at UM, it was a couple Citrus Bowls, and Outback, and the crowing achievement was a flukey-ish win over Alabama in the Orange Bowl. And every season was 3-4 losses. And some of those teams certainly talked about going to the Rose Bowl, yet they never did.
My point remains that people around here think UM is some elite program because of Bo, even though he hasn't been the coach for decaces and only a couple of years during Carr's era would you consider this team in the top 3-4 in the country.
18 sounds about right. If people want some optimism, 1997 started with UM ranked in the teens to start the year. But this "fall" as some people like to characterize it has been going on for more than just RR/Hoke's times.
I love how people on here refer to the mid Carr years like they were the greatest thing ever and how much they long for them.
Wisconsin has gone to more Rose Bowls in the last 20 years than us. Our second homes are Orlando and Tampa.
Elite teams don't go to the freaking Citrus Bowl very often.
A savvy "overrated" analysis would take into account the average landing spot for teams starting at position X.
Those rankings fail to paint a rosy picture for the B1G. Outside of OSU, our confernce is really weak.
I also don't get MSU's rating being so low.
Kind of wish none of these were published until mid-October.
They haven't yet proven that they can reload and still have success after losing star playmakers, if you consider their 2012 season. They've been on a huge upwards trajectory since 2008 or so, yeah, but I think most "experts" are still hesitant to cast their lot for MSU based on name only. If 2012 hadn't happened I don't think that would be the case.
It'd be nice if rankings didn't come out till mid-October but it's the offseason. Take out meaningless speculation and what the hell else are sports channels gonna talk about?
Max Bullough took the "supplements" to Houston when he signed as a UFA...going to be harder to "coach 'em up", accordingly.
The MSU ranking (#24) doesn't quite vibe with the fact they have them listed in their top 16 teams in the race for the playoff. Same goes for Wisconsin who is also in that top 16, but ranked #23.
I mean, I don't care, because it's an ESPN Power Ranking.
But IMO, we should be somewhere between #23-27 right now. We should end up much higher, but to this point, we haven't done jack shit to be in the top 20. And I know part of it is prediction, but it's not like we're getting a ton of new guys or we were injured last year...we've got a lot of the same guys, they're just a year older (thank GOD).
You realize that 99% of the way that college football teams improve from one season to the next is through the same guys getting a year older and better, right? Contributions from true freshmen are usually pretty modest (plus, we might get something from Peppers, Canteen, etc.), and as for key guys returning from injury, we actually have more than most teams do (Ryan & Darboh).
I'm not convinced that our roster is a ton better than it was last year, but that's because of personnel losses on offense (basically Lewan, Schofield, and Gallon). Still, I think we're definitely a more talented and experienced team in 2014 than we were in 2013, thanks largely to that year of progression. Especially on defense, we return a lot of dudes, and returning a lot of dudes is a big thing in college football.
This isn't NCAA Football 14. Guys just don't come back +4, +8, +5, +7 overall.
You do realize that we returned a bunch of starters including an All-American and went 7-6 and looked like shit for 85% of the season right?
Sure everyone gets better, in theory, but we havem't done one thing to warrant any hype other than be Michigan.
If we blow out KSU with our young roster, then sure, bring it on. But we got taken to the shed in all facets. Nothing other than DG's performance during the OSU game says "okay this team is going to be good next year" going all the way back to the Notre Dame game!
So forgive me, you can be an internet ass...and I can too, but the fact of the matter is, there are plenty of people taking a "wait and see" approach so to speak as if I'm out of line or off on some island with my own train of thought is bullshit. I'd say there are more people like me, saying "wait and see," than like you who assume we're going to be better because we're a year older.
Of course I hope we're better, but we have been good ONE year since Lloyd Carr retired. ONE.
It's time to stop assuming Michigan "reloads" every year. We don't. At least not anymore. If Michigan improves each week this year like it should and plays its best football at the end of this season with some big wins against OSU and the bowl game. Then bring up on the hype for 2015, it was earned.
Until then, we're only ranked this high because we wear winged helmets and we have a bunch of tradition. Just like Florida and Texas, who are also ranked (even though BOTH have been much better over that same period).
I think somewhere in the 40-50 range is much more realistic for this team. We lose 60% of the decent players on offense (Gardner and Funchess being the only one's returning) and the "bend but don't break" defensive philosophy won't have us playing like an MSU defense anytime soon. Yes our guys might be older, but experience doesn't make up for lack of coaching they are receiving.
An honest question, but can someone please explain to me why almost everyone feels that getting game experience will make our guys better? I understand the theory behind it, but when I look at guys like Miller, Kalis, and Fitz last year who actively regressed with game experience I just don't get the prevailing optimism that the line will get better simply because they played meaningful snaps.
Just outside the top 25 seems right, given where we finished and the fact that we are very young offensively.
It pains me to say it, but one double-digit win season since 2006 really doesn't justify any preseason hype. I hope they win a ton of games and earn a high ranking by the end of the season, but right now it just seems silly.
Who is Big Blue? You talking about Kentucky?
Yeah any mad science that has Indiana over Nebraska is good enough for me to take to heart...
Being realistic I have this sort of power poll until proven otherwise on the field
- MSU - lost some on defense but almost entire starting group is RS SR, SR, RS JR as Dantonio redshirts almost everything that moves. Offense returns almost everyone incl a vastly improved runner and QB now with a year under his belt. Three 11 win seasons out of four - say what you will; turning into Wisconsin East.
- OSU/Wisconsin - OSU back 7 highly questionable as is that OL and a mystery at RB. But its still OSU and Meyer. Wisconsin - see MSU, tons of experience coming back.
- Iowa - only due to schedule, avoid UM MSU OSU....could be nation's most mediocre 11-2 team.
- Nebraska/UM/Minnesota/PSU - Nebraska is in perpetual 4 loss mode. UM has 3 tough road games, and an offense so young most don't shave yet paired with what should be a far better defense, and Minnesota made some very nice strides last year but questionable at QB. PSU - QB should take a big step 2nd year in system, kind of like Nebraska overall.
- Northwestern - injuries devastated them, still have solid coach and when healthy a tricky offense to play.
- Maryland - should be decent
- Indiana - all offense, HS defense
- Rutgers/Purdue/Illinois - welp.
#18 in some stupid thing
#1 in our hearts.
Suprisingly enough, Michigan State actually moved UP 4 spots from where they finished last year.
Given this-- I'm surprised anyone can take this thing seriously.
For those wondering why Sparty is so low: look no further than their laughable recruiting rankings. We can laugh at their recruiting rankings, and they can laugh at our on field performance since 2007.
Powder puff's are much tougher and better developers of talent than Brady
Sooooo Dantonio is to Brady what Beiline is to Izzo?
Too low. Go Blue.
We aren't the nail. Michigan is a hammer. Wait and see.
But is 1 through 14 SEC?... Nope only 6, ESPN is slipping.
This could easily be a top 25 team. The talent is there, just need to have 1 or 2 things work out.
in double digits this year, book it.