Michigan #2 in Big Ten in 2015?

Submitted by 1989 UM GRAD on

So, now that we have the advantage of retrospect, I think it's very easy to argue that Michigan was the 2nd best team in the Big Ten this year.

Michigan at its best and healthiest would beat MSU and Iowa at their best and healthiest more than 50% of the time. 

We had the #1 defense in the conference and, at our best, one of the top three or four offenses.  Again, I'm basing this on the offense we saw during the second half of the season and in today's game.  As for the defense, I'm assuming Glasgow and Ojemudia are available.

In other words, were the season to start over again today, I'd predict that we'd go 11-1 in the regular season...with OSU still going to the Big Ten Championship game and beating Iowa. 

Assume OSU gives Iowa a pretty serious beat-down in the championship game and qualifies for the playoff.  Do we go to the Rose Bowl or does Iowa?

What say you?  Am I wearing maize and blue glasses or does this make sense...with the benefit of a full season and hindsight?

MGoBoard
Football

Mevo

January 1st, 2016 at 8:16 PM ^

In an ideal world you never want a true freshman starting at QB. Harbaugh understands this which is the reason he has already said Peters will be redshirting.  Fortunately, the reports on O'Korn have been very positive and we still have Speight/Morris as solid backups.

Joined: 02/21/2010

MGoPoints: 280

cezical

January 1st, 2016 at 8:46 PM ^

They apparently dont know that the best team doesnt always win. here are the correct b10 rankings 1. Osu 2. Mich 3. msu 4. iowa 5. wisconsin 6. nw 7. Penn state 8. Indiana 9. Nebraska 10. Minnesota 11. Scrubs Anybody who disagrees is wrong lmao not trying to be stubborn but i watch more ball than most of you who are seeing this because i have no life... football is my life.

Joined: 12/19/2015

MGoPoints: -127

Optimism Attache

January 1st, 2016 at 8:49 PM ^

These hypotheticals are fun and I have a good time with them, but we do them focused on just our team. You've got to be extremely lucky to assume that we wouldn't have had any key injuries and that we wouldn't have had any fluky losses (Indiana, Minnesota--both could have slipped away from us). And yeah, Rudock got a lot better throughout the season, but why in this hypothetical redo of 2015 would assume we'd get Good Rudock from the get-go?

Joined: 09/13/2011

MGoPoints: 24008

A Fan In Fargo

January 1st, 2016 at 8:51 PM ^

When UM is hitting on all cylinders playing their best and at full strength health wise, for sure #2. No doubt in my mind. The talent they have combined with the coaching staff trump the rest except the filth. Wait until next year bitches(non Michigan fans). 

Joined: 02/16/2014

MGoPoints: -9997722

Team 101

January 1st, 2016 at 8:56 PM ^

All that separates this and what happened was failure to execute a simple punt.  Ohio could have defended its national title if they had gone deep on STAEE like Bama did rather than keep punching it up the middle and let STAEE eak out victory.  A great year for Michigan and Harbaugh and now to pull in a recruiting class that can bring us victories in Columbus and EL.

Joined: 04/15/2013

MGoPoints: 38657

MChem83

January 1st, 2016 at 11:00 PM ^

That's not how football games are decided.  Only points and wins matter.

We'll know when we've arrived as a program, because this board will no longer be an excuse-fest.

Joined: 04/17/2014

MGoPoints: 414

cp4three2

January 1st, 2016 at 11:04 PM ^

But we were probably 3. We lost to State and Utah, State lost to Nebraska and Alabama. Yes, they got a couple lucky wins. We also got a couple against IU and Minnesota. We lost Glasgow, MSU lost Cook (who still didn't seem 100% healthy)

 

That being said, after today, I'd much rather be Michigan. It feels like we're moving toward going back to the Big 2 and little 8..er...12. 

Joined: 08/03/2009

MGoPoints: 4828