2009 Predictions
I know it's before spring practices, summer conditioning, etc. But what does everyone predict?
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC)
Oct. 3 at Michigan State*
Oct. 10 at Iowa*
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE
Oct. 24 PENN STATE*
Oct. 31 at Illinois*
Nov. 7 PURDUE*
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin*
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE*
February 8th, 2009 at 1:20 AM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN-Big Win
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME-Toss-up
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN-Big Win
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC)-Win
Oct. 3 at Michigan State*-Toss-up
Oct. 10 at Iowa*-Slight Win
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE-Big Win
Oct. 24 PENN STATE*-Toss-up (But we do own Penn State...)
Oct. 31 at Illinois*-Loss
Nov. 7 PURDUE*-Win
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin*-Toss-up
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE*-Loss
In all 6 wins, and a few toss ups with only 2 losses for sure
February 8th, 2009 at 7:08 PM ^
Western Michigan-W
Notre Dame- I gotta say slight W, we played awful against them last year and still hung around.
Eastern Michigan-W
Indiana-W
@ MSU- Slight W, because Ringer, Hoyer, half the line, and half the D are gone from a team we were beating in the fourth quarter.
@ Iowa- Slight loss. Iowa, even without Shonn Greene, should be decent.
Delaware State-W (please no App State)
Penn State- W, because they lose so much from last year, and we play them at home.
@ Illinois- L, I think this will be ugly
Purdue- W
@ Wisconsin- L
Ohio State- My only toss up, because like Penn State, they lose a lot, and at home, in a rivalry, where we haven't won in five years, we will at least be in the game.
8-3, with a toss up. Forcier reminds me of Colt McCoy, and if he plays like that, we will be decent on offense, with the good runningbacks and receivers. The line needs to gel, though. Defensively, there is enough young talent to provdie compentence in games we should win, but may be erratic in big ones. Also, Rodriguez improved by five wins in his second year at WVU, and had similar rises at his other stops. We will be better.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:25 AM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - win
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - win
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - win
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - win
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - win
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - win
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - win
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - loss
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - loss
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - win
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - loss
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - loss
February 8th, 2009 at 1:27 AM ^
probably win all of them except del state. they don't mess around in dover
February 8th, 2009 at 2:11 AM ^
I wouldn't get in the "big win" boat for the Western Michigan game just yet. They're returning an experienced, senior-laden team, and it's the first game of the season for us, with Threet likely starting.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:25 AM ^
True, I wish WMU was not on the schedule this early, if at all. They did manage to beat an ok Illini team last year.
February 8th, 2009 at 10:29 AM ^
I am not saying that WMU will be an easy game, but to say that they are senior-laden masks the fact that they lose something like 9 or 10 starters on defense and about 4 starters on offense.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:19 PM ^
By Rice in their last game. They did not look good against a spread team. Central Mich had beaten them a lot the past few years with a spread team as well.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:45 PM ^
Yeah, but I don't want to say that because WMU had 1 bad game against a spread team that shows that we will beat them. Sort of like the WMU fans right now saying that they beat Illinois and hammered Toledo.
I am just happy that nearly their entire defense will be new starters. We should be able to move the ball on them.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:15 AM ^
lol do you guys really think were gonna lose to OSU this yr? hahaahaha..
OSU lost everyone, literally.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:49 AM ^
except that theyve been pulling in top 5 recruiting classes for a few years now. youre nuts if you think tOSU will be bad
February 8th, 2009 at 10:49 AM ^
He's exactly right. I haven't been this excited for an OSU game since they lost Smith, Pittman, Ginn, and Gonzales in the same year.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:44 AM ^
**Use of "lol" and "hahaha" is strictly limited to parody, please.
Carry on.
February 8th, 2009 at 3:37 PM ^
OSU lost everyone, literally.
Do you know what the word "literally" means?
February 8th, 2009 at 9:31 PM ^
Marshall lost everyone, literally. OSU returns a large majority of their team.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:16 AM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - W
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME- L
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - W
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - W
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - W
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - W
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - W
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - L
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - L
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - W
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - W
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - W
February 8th, 2009 at 2:17 AM ^
6 wins as the floor, based on improved QB and OL play (as they're all more comfortable with the offense) and a reduction in turnovers and 8 wins as the ceiling (we catch some lucky breaks with opponent injuries, weather, something weird).
however I'm not yet ready to predict where they'll come from. but we're probably not beating OSU or Penn State without some major help.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:24 AM ^
I actually think Penn State is going to have a down year.
February 8th, 2009 at 3:23 AM ^
Why? Do you have reasons behind your "feeling"? They do return an excellent QB and RB.
February 8th, 2009 at 3:39 AM ^
sure sure, but just don't think it'll happen.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:35 AM ^
probably b/c they have season like their 08 year every 3-4 years. that program is mediocre-good and then every couple years one their QB's who has been shit steps it up and they get 10-11 wins and ESPN will worship joepa like he is the second coming.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:30 AM ^
Clark also had 3 senior receivers last year. They're going to have to be run-heavy this year, and don't forget that they'll be starting an extremely unpolished Kevin Newsome as a true freshman if Clark goes down.
That said, their defense should be fairly good, as usual, although they're losing some stars, right?
February 8th, 2009 at 12:45 PM ^
They lose almost everyone, on both sides of the ball including their O-line and secondary. They are going to be hit really hard and will have lots of holes going into the year.
February 8th, 2009 at 7:57 AM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - W
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - L
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - W
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - W
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - W
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - W
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - W
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - L
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - L
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - W
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - L
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - L
February 8th, 2009 at 8:29 AM ^
Hope its better than this.
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN -L
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME -L
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN -W
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) -W
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* -L
Oct. 10 at Iowa* -W
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE -W
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* -L
Oct. 31 at Illinois* -L
Nov. 7 PURDUE* -W
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* -W
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* -L
6-6 MAYBE! If not worse. I hope Im wrong, but I don't see anything above a .500 season.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:57 PM ^
While I agree that we return a lot more experienced squad, we still have a very young o-line (through the two deep), a brand new defensive coordinator with a different system, an enormous question mark at quarterback, and running backs who tend to get injured.
Every time I see a prediction record of > .500, I flashback to the Toledo game.
I think the experience under the offensive system and the increased maturity is worth another 3 wins, but anything more than that and you weren't paying attention to last year's horror.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:36 AM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - win
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - loss/win
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - win
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - win
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - loss/win
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - loss
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - win
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - loss
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - win
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - win
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - loss
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - loss
Bowl game=win
February 8th, 2009 at 8:38 AM ^
wins against WMU, EMU, Indiana, mighty Delaware St., and Purdue. The offseason is going to suck for RR if this happens.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:44 AM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN -W
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME -L
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN -W
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) -W
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* -W
Oct. 10 at Iowa* -W
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE -W
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* -W
Oct. 31 at Illinois* -L
Nov. 7 PURDUE* -W
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* -W
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* -L
--> best case scenario.
here's the rationale. Western is one of the BIGGEST games of the year, believe it or not. RR must win this game as we have lost the opening game the last 2 years + RR is under a lot of heat. And consider that the guys will have 1 more year of his program under his belt to have learned the offense.
ND-I gave us the loss just cause they have more juniors/seniors than us. Eastern-cause we wont lose to English. Indiana cause they're indiana.
STATE-- They will have a 1st year QB + RB. i don't like their defense all that much either. i think we can pull off the win in EL. Iowa blows, they lose Shonn Greene who was absolutely essential to them winning anything last year. And win vs. Delaware St.
PSU- At home and they will NOT be nearly as good as last year. i have full faith in them being a 7-5 team this year, maybe even 8-4. Illinois could be a potential loss just b/c if Juice plays a fraction of as well as he played last year we're doomed. this game could go either way however.
Wisco--They weren't that good last year and i don't see them getting much better this year. Bielema is one of the most overrated coaches in the country.
OSU-Loss however there is a chance we can win this. Our younger defense will be off-set by their young offense. And our more experience offense has the potential to screw with their defense who lost so many guys. So who knows, we could end the painful losing streak in 09 vs the buckeyes. and maybe the stadium will be done as well.
there ya go, best case scenario for the '09 season. 9-3 folks, you heard it here first.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:06 AM ^
WMU - W. Good early test. I think we come out and out horse them though.
ND - W. Last year they beat us by capitalizing on massive mistakes on our part. I think our offense takes a big step forward this year, minimizes the mistakes, and we lock this one up.
Eastern - W.
Indiana - W.
@ MSU - W. They lost Hoyer and (more importantly) Ringer. Their defense should be ok, but not enough to carry a very raw offense.
@ Iowa - W. They lost their biggest and best threat in Shonn Greene. Again, I think they'll need a better offense to keep up with what will be a much improved Michigan O.
Delaware St - W
Penn St - I'll go out on a limb and call this a W. They lost their receiving corps, their QB, both DEs...and I don't know what else, but that's quite a bit, and enough for me to give us the edge at home.
@ Illinois - L. Juice is going to be a monster this year.
Purdue - W.
@ Wisconsin - L. They lose Shaugnnessy (sp?) and is PJ Hill gone too? Either way, of all the Big Ten (aside from us) I think Wisconsin has the most replaceable talent lost this year.
OSU - Toss Up. I think this one will be very interesting. They just lost one of their best classes of talent, probably ever. Lots of holes to fill, and though they do a great job of reloading, I think they could be vulnerable if we get a bounce or two this year. I'm also interested to see how Pryor performs as a soph without Wells...and oh yeah, if he goes down they could be in major trouble.
I think it's a little ridiculous to do projections this far out, but I think our schedule lines up really well this year. We took our lumps last year, but now we return an entire offense which will include upgrades in key areas. Also, don't underestimate the first full offseason under a new regime. Every good coach seems to get their big bump in the second year. So yes, I'm being unabashedly optimistic. But I also think that the combination of our returning talent with a great depletion among the leaders of the Big Ten (save Illinois and Wisconsin) gives us a real opportunity for 10 wins and a possible BCS berth. It would surprise me a little if our floor is lower than 8 wins this year.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:10 AM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - probably a win but hey we lost to Toledo lets not get cocky.
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - most people think loss I say toss up.
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - probably a win
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - I would bet on whoever scores the most points.
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - ugh
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - this is a probable loss
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - lets hope we can beat a bad FCS team, lord know we can't beat a good one.
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - unless our offense is awesome I doubt we win.
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - lose pants with lose sauce
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - this will be a win as long as we don't have to face their third string quarter back.
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - when was the last time we won at Wisconsin?
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - This really makes you wonder how much shit we're going to be able to talk when we finally win one of these. " OOOOHHH you suck! So what if you won the last 8 or 9 We totally own you!!!!"
I gotta say I'm a bit jaded at this point. To me, every game next year is a probable loss. In two year time we lost to a FCS team and a MAC team. To claim any game is a sure win is pretty damn bold. The big ten is weak and we are at the bottom of it. If we somehow manage to not average 5 fumbles a game maybe we will most likely win some games. We are not going to have a pass rush, our O-line will be better but we are once again starting a quarterback who has taken no snaps in college. Unless of course we start Threet in which case bleh. I'm a beacon of positive energy I know, but its been an emo year. I expect we'll go 6-6 or 7-5 I hope we go 12-0 and despite my petulant whining Go Blue!
February 8th, 2009 at 9:32 AM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN (Close game, W)
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME (L, They are better and Claussen improved)
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN (W)
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) (W)
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* (L, I think they win EL)
Oct. 10 at Iowa* (L, a really tough place to win)
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE (W)
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* (W, They lost their Oline and WR corps)
Oct. 31 at Illinois* (L)
Nov. 7 PURDUE* (W)
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* (L, Revenge for them)
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* (L, We are gaining ground, but they are still in a different league)
6-6
February 8th, 2009 at 11:02 AM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - Toss Up (W)
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - Toss Up (W)
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - Win
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - Win
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - Toss Up (L)
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - Toss Up (L)
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - Win
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - Loss
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - Loss
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - Win
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - Toss Up (L)
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - Loss
So if we win the home games that are toss ups, and lose the away game toss ups, I think we're looking at 6-6. That sounds just about right. Of course, I'm hoping that we can pull an extra game out (maybe the Iowa or MSU game), but, then again, it's a little tricky to even predict a clean W against Purdue and Indiana, so let's not get ahead of ourselves.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:08 AM ^
I have run my mouth enough about predictions over the last 2 years so I abstain from any predictions that will haunt me but I will say a few of my thoughts. WMU I really don't know much about but they did go bowling this year. ND has the worst coach they have had in decades so all of the talent in the world won't help them much. EMU under new coach English will still be struggling. IND, well, you know. MSU lose too much talent with Ringer gone. Iowa, you never know. Delaware State I know nothing of. PSU will have a target on their back and may struggle because of it. ILL and more importantly Juice will suffer from that same target. Purdue, by this time, will probably be comfortable under their new coach and may be rolling pretty well. Wiscy lost their whole starting O-line plus PJ and don't have a QB worth a darn. OSU will be loaded as always but the last time we lost by that many points to OSU was the year before Bo came to UM. If the QB situation goes well I think we may pull off the win for the first time in far too long. GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!
February 8th, 2009 at 11:40 AM ^
I am going to call it now: 9-10 Wins.
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - WIN
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - CLOSE WIN
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - WIN
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - WIN
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - CLOSE WIN
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - LOSS
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - WIN
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - LOSS
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - WIN
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - CLOSE WIN
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - TOSS UP
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - WIN
February 8th, 2009 at 12:51 PM ^
Keep half of our 8? turnovers last year and we trash them. I see them being too overconfident early in the year and we smoke them, like we should've done last year. I'd be more leary of WMU catching us off-guard in our first game.
Wisc and OSU are going to be tough. The rest of the conference games, hope for .500... that would put us 4-0 non-conf, 3-3 rest of conf, 0-2 Wisc/OSU... 7-5ish overall with PLENT of room for optimism in there IMO.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:04 PM ^
Floor = 5 wins, Ceiling = 8 wins
We better win at least 6-7 games or things will get really ugly.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:09 PM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - W
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - W
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - W
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - W
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - W
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - L
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - W
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - L
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - L
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - W
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - W
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - ?
I saw a lot of losses projected at Wisconsin. I cant see it, they were not good this year, and they lost all of their defensive playmakers: Chapman, Shaunessey, Levy, Casillas, etc. along with the major offensive losses
February 8th, 2009 at 3:47 PM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - win
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - win
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - win
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - win
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - win
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - loss
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - win
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - loss
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - win
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - win
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - loss
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - win
Why?
The players all have another year in the program, both from a schematic and conditioning standpoint.
This is still UM and there is still plenty of talent there. The cupboard was bare of two things last year: experience and a QB who could handle a major college program.
Both of those have been addressed this offseason. Rick Leach and Chad Henne have proven that it is possible for a freshman QB to come in and do well at UM.
Western is great for a MAC team, but a competent UM team should never lose to the MAC. The Wolverines were incompetent last year; they are once again competent this year.
Revenge against ND should be easier than it looks. ND wasn't really that great last year, and UM gave them the game with all of the turnovers. I would look for those turnovers to not be there this year.
EMU and Indiana shouldn't give UM much trouble.
As for MSU, there is no way UM will lose two in a row to them. MSU's aforementioned grad losses will be too much for them in this game.
Every young team has a hiccup, and Iowa will be UM's. They will strut into Iowa with a 5-0 record, full of themselves after their revenge game against MSU. And they will lose.
After Appy State, UM will never underestimate a 1-AA (or whatever they are called now) team again. Delaware State will have to play a very PO'd UM team, still stinging from the Iowa loss. RR will take advantage of the loss to "coach 'em up" very hard during the week. This game will be a blowout.
PSU probabaly still has too much for UM. If UM were to have a great year, this one could be a win. But this is the best collection of athletes on defense the new QB's will play against this year, and it will probably be a learning day for either or both of them.
They should win at Illinois, if only because Zook got his offense, indirectly IIRC, from RR.
UM should be really good in revenge games because, until this year, they were such a novelty. Purdue should be no exception. I expect UM to win this one handily.
Wisky is next. Almost every year, the schedule-maker screws UM by making them play Wisky the week before OSU. One of the best "gimmick" bets in Vegas used to be to bet against (with, of course, the spread) whoever played Wisky the week before. It doesn't work since Alverez left, but Wisky is still a very physical team and difficult to recover from the next week.
This is a revenge game for Wisky and I think the weather might be too cold for relatively inexperienced UM. I expect Wisky to get their revenge this year.
Speaking of revenge, I think this is the year: "The Bucks stop here." Diva Pryor will prove his lack of coachability this year, coasting along and expecting his talent to win every game for him. OSU has a lot of good players, but no Beanie Wells to bail Pryor out. I think that UM will score early and force Pryor to throw the ball more than he likes. I am looking for a few picks and UM to finally swing the pendulum back in the right direction. UM wins by ten points because of a late pick and score.
Am I over-optimistic? Probably. But I've been that way for 56 years and I'm not gonna stop now.
We will see how it turns out.
February 8th, 2009 at 3:59 PM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - 75%
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - 45%
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - 95%
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - 90%
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - 50%
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - 70%
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - 99%
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - 38%
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - 45%
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - 70%
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - 40%
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - 35%
Absolute basement is 4 wins. (WMU, EMU, IU, DSU).
A LOT hinges on QB play and what the new DC does. If the defense still sucks and QB play is meh - probably 4 definite wins and we'll get one we weren't supposed to, making it 5.
If the QB play is good enough (I don't expect it to be great, because most likely we will be starting a freshman) then 7 wins is possible. (Adding purdue, illinois and ND to the list of wins).
OSU game will definitely be much closer than last years game, and this might be our best shot at them until our QBs age a couple years and we get a good defense with fast players installed.
February 8th, 2009 at 4:10 PM ^
I can;t believe how confident everyone is about winning AT Iowa. That is a tough place to play and they were the third best team in the conference this past year.
The way I see it there are 5 games we should win. Indiana, Purdue, WM, EM, and DS. no way we get shut out on all the rest and we go bowling. We win two of the rest and we win 7 and its a great season. An improved OL should prevent any losses to teams we are much better than. A toledo won't happen again with a good running game.
February 8th, 2009 at 4:11 PM ^
I can't believe people are still picking us to win 8 games this year. Has anyone forgotten the sheer number of problems we have to solve before we can think about winning ONE game?
QB play was terrible and a TRUE FROSH starter will not be a huge upgrade at this position. I think it's a toss-up between an improved Threet and Forcier/Robinson.
Remember how our defense was supposed to carry our team to seven wins last season? We are going into this next season with even MORE questions. Is Gerg really a good d-coordinator? How much of a factor will lack of experience be?
This is the same thing talk that took place last year around this time and we all see how that turned out.
February 8th, 2009 at 5:09 PM ^
I think everyone here can agree that even decent qb play last year nets UM at least 2 more wins. (Toledo, NW)
And, to say that Tate/Denard as freshmen won't be better than Threet/Sheridan is ridiculous. Also, UM isn't playing the same schedule. They're adding the worst team in the big10 Indiana, and a div Iaa Del. St., and one of the worst programs in the mac in Eastern. Those should be 3 gimmes if there were ever any.
Who do you honestly see UM losing to? I can see 6 being the bottom. I think 7 is probably right, but I wouldn't be THAT surprised to see 8 or 9.
Plus, you've got RR's second year turnaround history on UM's side.
February 8th, 2009 at 5:17 PM ^
It's entirely possible that we lose the following games:
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME
Oct. 3 at Michigan State*
Oct. 10 at Iowa*
Oct. 24 PENN STATE*
Oct. 31 at Illinois*
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin*
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE*
That's 4-8. Obviously, I hope we do better than that, but other than Western Michigan we're not clearly better than any of these teams, and Western won't be a cakewalk with so many Freshmen playing their first-ever game.
February 8th, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
-Western: PROBABLE WIN but I'm scared to death of this game.
-Notre Dame: TOSS UP, we're at home, I still don't buy Clauson as a good quarterback, and GERG owns them! On paper they're probably better than us though.
-Eastern: PROBABLE WIN
-Indiana: PROBABLY WIN
-MSU: TOSS UP, I think Sparty crashes hard this year but they always play us really tough at home.
-IOWA: TOSS UP, their qb play is as bad as ours and Greene's gone but another very tough place to win.
-DELAWARE STATE: AUTO-WIN, we're probably another year away from any functional DNP's....
-PENN STATE: PROBABLE LOSS, Royster's an animal and their defense will be too tough.
-ILLINOIS: PROBABLE LOSS although I think we have more of a chance in this game then most people on this thread so far. Illinois has been consistently inconsistent in the Juice era, it's a matter of catching them on the right day. Certainly the potential for another blow-out though.
PURDUE: PROBABLY WIN
WISCONSIN: PROBABLE LOSS, it always seemed like Hill's back-ups were better than him anyway.
OHIO STATE: PROBABLE LOSS, auto-loss if it were in Columbus but it's in the Deuce and hopefully we have our chit figured out by the end of the year so I'll give us a chance.
ABSOLUTE CEILING: 12-0
REALISTIC CEILING: 8-4
REALISTIC FLOOR: 5-7
ABSOLUTE FLOOR: 2-10
MY PREDICTION: 7-5, losses to Iowa, PSU, Ill, Wisc and OSU.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:31 PM ^
Let me tell you, there are 3 games on the schedule that are iffy but very winnable.
@ Iowa - No Shonn Green? Forget it Jake.
@ MSU - Freshman QB, RB? Good luck next year.
Penn State - I don't know why, but I just don't see Joe Pa winning this one.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:40 PM ^
12 and 0 fo sho. KNIBB HIGH FOOTBALL RULES!
February 9th, 2009 at 12:24 AM ^
ABSOLUTE CEILING: 12-0
REALISTIC CEILING: 10-2
REALISTIC FLOOR: 5-7
ABSOLUTE FLOOR: 3-9
MY PREDICTION: 9-3.
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - Win
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - Win
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - Win
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - Win
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - Win (Who would they beat us with?? Ringer was their whole team)
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - Win
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - Win
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - Loss
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - Loss
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - Win
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - Win
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - Close Loss
Obviously a lot of it has infinite variables right now, the most important of which is QB play. I'm not saying that our QB play will be amazing or even necessarily Henne-esque but I don't think it really needs to be for us to do well this year. We'll more than likely run the ball a lot more consistently, have more than ONE option at QB (injured Threet until he can't go anymore. Sheridan was awful and I think there's NO WAY that neither DRob or Tate will play better, or at least more competent, than Sheridan.)
I also think we COULD lose to MSU but really don't see it happening again (when is the last time they beat us 2 times in a row? Have they?) and I could see us pulling an upset over Ohio State. Given the last couple of years' losses, I'm SURE we could lose more than the games I predicted us too, but I am optimistic.
February 9th, 2009 at 1:16 AM ^
I'll play
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - Win
I think this will be a close game. Early season jitters might cause a lot of TOs on both sides. It's important we win out of the gate though.
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - Lose
Notre Dame has been struggling because they have inexperienced players at skill positions. Their best QB, RB, and WR last year were underclassmen. Sound familiar? They have a lot of talent that will develop quickly. We are in the same position, but unfortunately are one step behind in the growing process.
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - Win
No reason we should lose this.
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - Win
Indiana is at the bottom of the barrel right now in the Big 10 and I don't see any signs for major improvement this year.
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - Toss up
MSU has a transfer QB coming in who I've heard a lot of good (or bad for us) things about. Also, Dantonio structures his entire season around playing us. It's clear that his goal since coming to the Big 10 has been to renew the rivalry which explains all his asinine comments. MSU will continue to get blown out in their big games because Dantonio will focus a largely disproportionate amount of focus on Michigan all season. Still, they lost quite a bit of talent this year.
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - Toss up
Iowa depended an enormous amount on Greene, but they are always a pretty solid home team. I would say win if this was in Michigan Stadium.
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - Win
No excuse to lose this.
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - Lose
PSU returns their QB and RB. Clark played very well for them last year and Royster was punishing. They also return a strong D. They're my pick to win the Big 10 this year.
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - Lose
Unless drastic improvements are made on our defense, they will still be easily befuddled by Juice's crazy ninja ball fakes. This might be a close one though.
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - Win
New coach and all that. Purdue isn't moving in the right direction right now. It'll take them a little longer to right the ship.
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - Win
Wisconsin was awful last year and they lose their starting QB and RB among other positions. Wisco fans are starting to turn on Bielema as well. This may be a close one as well, however.
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - Lose
Sigh
Absolute Ceiling: 10-2
Realistic Celing: 8-4
Realistic Floor: 6-6
Absolute Floor: 3-9
Prediction: 7-5
February 9th, 2009 at 12:08 PM ^
Sept. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN - L
Sept. 12 NOTRE DAME - L
Sept. 19 EASTERN MICHIGAN - W
Sept. 26 INDIANA* (HC) - W
Oct. 3 at Michigan State* - L
Oct. 10 at Iowa* - L
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE - W
Oct. 24 PENN STATE* - L
Oct. 31 at Illinois* - W
Nov. 7 PURDUE* - W
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin* - L
Nov. 21 OHIO STATE* - L
That puts us at 5-7, but I think that between Western Michigan, MSU, Wisky, and Penn State, we'll win one of those and lose three. I just don't know which one we'll win. We could lose at Illinois. Our schedule isn't really hard, but we have a lot of "toss-up" games that happen to be on the road. If we faced Wisky, Iowa, or MSU at home, I would like us to win those games.