GoBlueBorderBattle

September 28th, 2015 at 5:54 PM ^

No. Michigan is not top 10. They can get there this season if they keep at this pace of improvement. No doubt. I enjoy that these things are being said about Michigan, but let the outsiders say these things. As fans, I think it's best to stay humble and not get ahead of ourselves.

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beedub93

September 28th, 2015 at 5:57 PM ^

Maybe I'm still shell shocked from the last 7 years, but I'm not ready to put this team in the top 10.

#22 seems about right. All the praise lavished on a team is nice, but it can easily have a deleterious effect.

Frankly, I don't trust Spielman or other members of the media.

They played great Saturday, but I'm pumping the brakes. If they win these next 3, then it's on.



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UMxWolverines

September 28th, 2015 at 6:26 PM ^

We picked a good year to have a new coach in their first year...there's no dominant team yet to emerge and our schedule sets up well. But like Charles Woodson said "How about we just win?". Take care of business each week and good things will come.

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Boston Cooler

September 28th, 2015 at 6:40 PM ^

And all we did was beat Oregon State, UNLV, and BYU and we went from an unranked team with a 6 to 8 win potential to a potential top 10 team (while only being ranked 22).  I don't like giving teams motivation materials and that is what CS is providing. Let's just keep winning and take it one game at a time. 

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BornInA2

September 28th, 2015 at 6:51 PM ^

I'm glad he's not dumping on Michigan, and...

He so often sounds like he's talking just to talk, not because he has something, let's say colorful, to add  Even McDonough got sick of him last Saturday: Did anyone else catch McDonough's comment about him being "just another whining player on defense"? Best line of the entire broadcast.

He's like the Jon Krakauer of college football.

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UMProud

September 28th, 2015 at 7:11 PM ^

Even if Chris wasn't blowing sunshine up our ass I would respect the guy.  He was a damn fine football player for those Columbus chumps and he breaks some insightful from-the-trench commentary.

It kills me to say I have any respect for anyone who played at Ohio who but Spielman I have to begrudgingly tip my hat.

Even the times he ragged on us, quite frankly, he was right.  Sometimes he can be negative but it's never without warrant.

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Danwillhor

September 28th, 2015 at 7:16 PM ^

RIGHT NOW. There isn't a sole powerhouse or group of them this year so it's hard to day who is what. Hate to say it but ND is the most consistent team so far. Ole Miss seems like the most dangerous when they show up. Osu is still a top team but don't appear to be the monster they turned into last year. Yet, they only have two more real games left (msu & UM). Msu is good but they don't "feel" like a team that can beat an osu, nd, miss, lsu, etc when they're on their game. POINT: I've watched it a few times and watched other BYU games and I DO think BYU was a bit tired, worn down, etc in our game. We demolished them so it's still a VERY quality win but I don't think we're in the top-10. Then again, who the fuck knows? haha. I still don't trust the offense yet but I'm coming along to the idea that this may be the best defense we've had since 2006 - easily. I need more data and less PTSD to be positive about anything anymore lol

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UMProud

September 28th, 2015 at 7:25 PM ^

Look I'm sorely tempted to drive the hype train myself and this has been a weird September season.  

We know that Michigan talent is being properly developed and the team doesn't even look the same as last year.  I think we're all still in pleasant shock at how we've performed so far.  Not to mention having an incredibly intelligent coach who probably has the NCAA rules memorized and knows them better than the refs on the field!

That being said Chris Spielman knows football.  I have alot of respect for his opinion.  Most of us are trying to keep our inner homer in check but there is one thing that really struck me watching games this weekend.

UCLA, TCU, Ohio, etc...I'm not seeing a team who I don't believe we can't beat.  Our defense is monstrous and our offense seems to chew people up.

It's good that we stay humble but in the back of my mind I think Harbaugh may be in the midst of creating one of the fastest turnarounds in college football history.  

Michigan just might be all that and a bag of chips!  I'm starting to believe...

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M-Dog

September 29th, 2015 at 9:09 AM ^

Are we a top 10 team right now?  I'm not sure, but I can't come up with 10 teams that I can think of that I truly feel Michigan would not have a 50/50 chance against.

Perhaps LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, OSU (until we prove otherwise), and . . . I don't know, I'm running out of names.  I'd gladly take my 50/50 chances with MSU, ND, any Pac 12 / Big 12 / ACC school.

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Avon Barksdale

September 28th, 2015 at 7:41 PM ^

But Chris is really really high on Harbaugh. To hear an Ohio State guy say "Things are about to level out in the rivalry, and really really quick" was a shocker. He thinks Harbaugh is as good as it gets, which we all do. But I sill think it's going to be 2017 before we see a National Championship product on the field.

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goblue81

September 28th, 2015 at 8:33 PM ^

Last weekend was a top 10 performance, but this team is a ways off from being a top 10 team. The team has the potential though, and if they keep improving, they will end up there - maybe not this year though.  

The big thing is the sustained and constant improvement.  If we protect the ball, Rudock/WRs find the deep ball, and we stay healthy (huge), we'll get there.  The most important part is that we are on the path to being a top 10 team, and that's all any of us could have asked for going into the season.

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UMProud

September 28th, 2015 at 8:53 PM ^

Why are they a ways off?  I know it's easy to spit that out of your mouth but what do you base this on?

Have you watched the top 10 teams play?  I have....and I see ZERO teams that make me fear if we're capable of being in it.

I'm not saying we're a NC team right now but many of these Top 10 teams (at week 4) are straw men.  Many will improve just like we are but some are overrated and will be exposed.

I think Michigan would DESTROY UCLA as an example. TCU?  Please...did you see their defense?  Not much better than RR D.

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goblue81

September 28th, 2015 at 9:24 PM ^

Yes, I have watched a lot of games for the past 3 decades including this year.  I'm not saying that all top 10 teams as they are ranked right now are better than us.  I'm saying there are 10 teams in all of FBS that are clearly better than us.  We have a top 10 defense, but our offense is a work in progress. 

I'd like to see us be consistent with our improvement week to week.  Last week was a step in the right directions, but we did absolutely jack in the 2nd half on offense.  Like I said we're on the path.  We have to earn it by going out there and taking care of business week after week.  We've been far too inconsistent the past 7 years.  Yay we start 5-0 and end up in the BW3 bowl...  Now, I don't think we'll stumble (as bad) like we have in recent years, but I don't want a top 10 ranking because someone else is overrated - I'd like to earn it.

And some point:

  • QB turnover machine
  • Inconsistent OL play
  • RB/WR lacks elite talent - they are serviceable but not elite
  • Special teams have been "good" but not great 
  • Paper thin depth at critical positions
  • Lack of edge to edge speed at middle level on D (minus Peppers)
  • etc...

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UMForLife

September 28th, 2015 at 11:04 PM ^

Last year OSU won the NC championship with two QBs who look pedestrian this year. You don't need elite everywhere to be a top 10 team. I am not saying we are a top 10 team, but it seems like you want an elite team to be in top 10. I hate to break it to you. Not one team in the top 10 is elite in every position. We still need to pump our brakes, but it is ok to acknowledge that we have the potential to be a top 10 team, with concerns at certain spots.

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goblue81

September 28th, 2015 at 11:19 PM ^

I didn't say we have to have elite talent at every position to be in the top 10...  I said we don't have an elite RB or WR along with a whole host of other issues on the offensive side of the ball not related to elite players along with an etc....  You said the exact same thing I did "we're on the path to being a top 10 team with concerns".   

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thumpinman

September 28th, 2015 at 9:18 PM ^

I'm a wolverine to the core but if we were to play any team in the top 10, who would we be favored against? None! We wouldn't be favored against the anyone in the top 15 in my opinion.

Our closest matchup might be UCLA.

Listen. I agree. Our defense can play with anyone. But most of the teams in the top 15 have defenses that are better than our offense. Maybe Baylor. Maybe TCU. maybe we could compete.

If we had a legit running game maybe I'd feel different. If DJ continues to improve, he can be that star. But for now, I'm happy our OL isn't getting pushed around and we have 11 out there for every punt! Go blue baby!

I'm happy in our direction but we've got

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atrain

September 29th, 2015 at 12:22 AM ^

Thank you to Spielman for the compliment, but in my opinion we aren't a top 10 team until we beat somebody good.  BYU has been more lucky than good so far. 

Spielman's incessant gushing about Harbaugh reminds me of how Brent Musberger used to gush over A. J. Hawk.  It was nauseating- it sounded like he wanted to get Hawk alone and have his way with him.

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