Beat Nebraska.
So...Saturday was embarassing as hell. That is all that needs to be said about that. We will get better or we will end up with a NEW staff. It's that simple really. We all love Michigan football and the best option at this point is just take this thing one game at a time. Let us start with Nebraska.......who we will beat and likely soundly.
Nebraska will be without Taylor Martinez and we will play inspired at home. If this staff did not feel the fire after the PSU disaster....they most certainly do now. I expect 30 plus points on offense and a sub- 20 defensive performance. This win will put us at 7-2 and despite being out of B1G contention, that is still respectable. This win will also jumpstart our homestretch of which is far more manageable than most think.
@Northwestern is an inferior team and we will score a lot of points on them.
@Iowa. This is a classic "trap" game but we should have enough on both sides of the ball to steal a late victory here. Iowa has not been very impressive this year. Very winnable game here gentlemen.
Ohio. We have not lost a home game in 2 years. They will be a double digit favorite. They will also not respect us and expect to party. This is exactly why I like our chances despite having a much lesser team at this time. Upsets are simply inevitable in college football and our season will be saved on this date. We aren't supposed to have a chance in this game and thats precisely why we will.
10-2 folks. The dark skies will part and light will soon shine. We do need a new offensive staff. We do need Brady to do better coaching wise. We do need more talent and much better player development. We still have one of the greatest teams in the world to root for and I for one am excited to watch the boys take the field on Saturday. Go Blue!
Beat Nebraska!
PS. Im writing this on a work break rather quickly so grammar police...feel free to dissect it.
November 5th, 2013 at 8:08 AM ^
I feel more confident about taking out Nebraska than the Iowa game. Nebraska's offense with Martinez at full strength is very different than this Nebraska. Their QB threw 3 INT and was replaced by a 5th year walk on who threw the Hail Mary. They didnt score on offense in the 2nd half versus a poor Northwestern team until the Hail Mary. UM should be able to outscore them and comfortably even without much ability to run running backs. Our rush defense is solid so Nebraska will be forced to throw it. I see a very similar game to Notre Dame.
I see a very tough game to Iowa though; road game, tough defense, operational offense for Iowa - gave OSU dogfight, etc. They will be up for that game big time.
I have no idea what Northwestern is right now. I cannot believe a pre-season division contender will go an entire Big 10 season without a win and they only have 3 chances left.
Urbz will show no mercy. This is not like the 90s when an underachieving UM team with 3-4 losses but plenty of NFL talent knocked off Cooper's teams. OSU defense was quite weak early in the year but is probably younger than ours and has made some leaps although verus very weak competition but you can see some individual players beginning to shine in the underclassmen. And if they are undefeated which they should be, they need to shine for pollsters so we wont get a mercy rule... I expect a relatively close first half and then OSU to impose physical dominance in 2nd half as we wear down.
I have us 2-2 the rest of the year, Neb win, OSU loss and the other 2 games some form of split.
November 5th, 2013 at 10:23 AM ^
But...but...they play a spread? How can they be physical? I thought the only way a team could be physically dominant is if they played MANBALL
November 5th, 2013 at 8:13 AM ^
Iowa and Northwestern are very winnable home games. If Nebraska or Ohio were away then I don't think Michigan wins that.
I guess we're going to put this team through the gauntlet. I feel they'll step it up after last game. I feel 3-1 over the next 4 is likely but I'm really diggin the 4-0, OP!
Buckle up, everyone... The next few weeks will be a wild ride!
Go Blue!
November 5th, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^
Stop Hyde, force braxton to beat us with his arm. Easier said than done I know...but last year we did a pretty good job of containing him. It was Hyde that sealed our fate when they got the ball.
November 5th, 2013 at 8:15 AM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 8:24 AM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 8:53 AM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 9:15 AM ^
Obviously, UM under Hoke at home is a lot different than UM on the road. That said, I don't necessarily agree with the OP's assumption that OSU will overlook UM. What is different about this year's OSU team from previous undefeated OSU teams is that they aren't getting any respect in the national media (some rightfully so but this team is playing very good football right now). Even if they are a double digit favorite, they know that they have to win impressively to even get mentioned in the NC talk. And when was the last time Urban didn't get his team up for a big game? UM has a shot against OSU because it is at home, it's The Game, UM's offense has shown glimpses of being very formiddable at times this year, the defense has actually played pretty damn well and because I still remember the Cooper era but not because OSU will look past them.
November 5th, 2013 at 9:28 AM ^
I like our chances in our next 3, and well, who knows about Ohio. I'd expect them to be a double digit favorite and I wouldn't bet the farm on a Michigan victory, but that's "why we play the games".
November 5th, 2013 at 9:44 AM ^
Idk how "Beat Nebraska" & "take this thing one game at a time" turned into we are going to win out.
Let's just start with Nebraska huh? Should be a fun game to watch. I think we can put up 40 points on that defense. Especially after the State game. The offense might be like, "whoa, this is easy."
November 5th, 2013 at 9:53 AM ^
Give me some of that Kool-aid.
November 5th, 2013 at 9:55 AM ^
The basketball team is playing Nebraska this weekend? Already? NIce. Seems early in the season, but I'll take it. I'm happy there is a game worth watching this weekend other than hockey.
November 5th, 2013 at 10:14 AM ^
But I wouldn't mind trying Mitch McGary as a tight end that might actually be able to block.
November 5th, 2013 at 10:11 AM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 10:12 AM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 10:17 AM ^
And...come on. We've been gashed on runs by Notre Dame and other spreads. You really think this defense can handle Braxton Miller, Carlos Hyde, Devin Smith, Corey Brown? I think Ohio gets its 28 points (and that's before we count turnovers).
If we get to 10-2, it will make up for the fact that Michigan will be watching the B1G championship game from home AGAIN. If we go 9-3 it won't (unless we somehow beat Ohio, and even that is more consolation than real achievement).
November 5th, 2013 at 10:20 AM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 10:26 AM ^
Its funny that with all the bitching it's still a real possibility we win 10 games this year.
We're losing to Ohio State but the other 3 games are winnable and who knows who we get in a bowl game.
November 5th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
Michigan has been playing down to their opponents all season. NE coming off a big last second luck win and will have a lot confidence. Michigan's team my be lacking some confidence. These close games don't always end well. But hopefully MIchigan can pull it out.
November 5th, 2013 at 1:21 PM ^
I'm not sure we've been playing "down" to all opponents, actually. The State game was a very thorough ass-kicking and the team could barely get anything started. They are a better team this year.
Minnesota is surprisingly good. We played a good game against a good team there. ND was another good game against a comparable team. We didn't play down to the other team in the first game, either.
At this point, it's hard to take anything for granted. We have the talent to beat 3 of the four remaining teams on the schedule, but two of those games are on the road.
We haven't got a chance in hell against OSU this year. I don't care if we're at home, a win is not happening. We don't have the horses to pull the upset.
November 6th, 2013 at 12:38 AM ^
Are more the games I think of when talking about "playing down to opponents"
November 5th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
We haven't been able to address all the issues or improve since UCONN. If we lose Sat, why should I expect improvement? Winning is MANDATORY this week.
November 5th, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 12:13 PM ^
We suck, and Ohio will be very well prepared. I see them trying to win style points on every game and I bet they'll come in with a game plan to put up 50 points on us in our first loss.
November 5th, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^
Greetings Wolverine Nation!! My buddies and I are HUGE college football fans. Two OSU Beaver fans, and one Duck (we let him come with us anyways). The three of us travel to a different college football stadium every fall for our annual boys weekend, which we call our Fall's Cathedral Tour. Often times we also piggy back an NFL game on Sunday... A few years ago we were in Alabama, and the local paper got wind of our trip...and actually wrote an article about it. Here is the link: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20091108/news/911079948 This year's tour takes us to the Big House. Will be in town for the Nebraska/Michigan game on 11/9, and then headed to Chicago on Sunday to watch the Bears. We couldn't be more excited to experience everything that Ann Arbor and U of M have to offer. Trips in the past have included: Penn State, ND, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Mizzou. By far our best trips involve connecting with other crazy football fans! We typically approach our trip, as if we were old alumni who haven't visited in years...looking to relive our college days. We want to go to the best pubs... smoke the best cigars...eat the greasiest breakfast... we want it all!! We will be blazing Michigan colors and rooting for the home team. We really could use some advice on the following topics: 1. Do you have a great tailgater that a couple of football fans from Oregon could crash? We aren't free loaders...we are happy to contribute... we just want to talk college football and drink a few beers! Our best trips have involved us connecting with the local fans. 2. What things are traditional for Michigan fans... Any pre-game activities either Friday night or Saturday we should be aware of? 3. Friday night... where should we go? Best pubs... college bars..etc? Same for Saturday after the game? 4. What are we missing... what do we have to do to make our trip to Michigan memorable?? 5. We are still looking for tickets... advice on the best way to acquire? We aren't afraid to scalp on gameday... which is fine too. Thanks in advance for any advice you might have. You can reach me via email at [email protected] Dave
November 5th, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^
Game Day Food: Zingerman's deli in downtown Ann Arbor is one of the finest in the world, simply unbelievable sandwiches and choices. For breakfast, Angelo's is great, a very fine breakfast with home made bread toasted, etc. Try not to miss either of these, they are an unusual treat.
There are some terrific restaurants for a Friday night feast - I like Gratzi, The Chop House, The Red Hawk is a good bar/grill, Mediterrano is excellent but a little off the beaten path as it's nearer to the expressway, The Gandy Dancer is great, in an old railroad station, and the food is very, very good, the Prickly Pear has great Tex-Mex, and if you just feel like a pizza, there's Pizza House on campus for good pizza and subs.
For greasy college student classic junk food, Bimply Burger closed its old location because the university took over the property, but it may have reopened already at another spot.
I'll let other folks talk bars, I'm not much of a drinker.
November 5th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^
mmm. The problem is the damn line to get in there. Glad to see those guys living the dream!
November 5th, 2013 at 5:46 PM ^
Oregon State plays in the Big House in 2015, right?
November 5th, 2013 at 12:51 PM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 1:25 PM ^
We're already bowl eligible.
/s
November 5th, 2013 at 1:41 PM ^
But if we lose this one so help me....
November 5th, 2013 at 1:48 PM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 2:15 PM ^
November 5th, 2013 at 2:17 PM ^
If this team is better than the 2010 team, it's only marginally so. Our realistic upside is 8-4 in the regular season. I see a possible win at home against Nebraska as our last "better than toss-up" of the year, only because we're playing at home against a Nebraksa team with about as many issues as we have.
I also see a very real 6-6 regular season downside that wouldn't surprise me at all.
We haven't done well in recent years at Kinnick. Northwestern's also on the road, and I guess we'll have to see what the state of their health is.
This isn't Bo's 1969 team, which was a very good football team that progressed during the year. I remember that team well. Team 134 has struggled in too many games this year, and is not showing improvement. Those who see the OSU game as winnable are wonderfully optimistic and will probably have their souls crushed by Urbz' boys, but miracles do happen and I am rooting for a good outcome regardless.
As to a bowl, some here have called lesser bowls "meaningless," but they are important to the development of next year's squad because they offer additional practice opportunities and more game experience. So any bowl game is meaningful in that sense.
A loss to Nebraska, and I think this team will be so deflated that they will give up on the season. If that happens, there's a real possibility that Hoke "loses the lockerroom," and 2014 will be his last Michigan season.
November 5th, 2013 at 4:22 PM ^
Both teams are pretty evenly matched, you are very tough at home, and as I mentioned on another thread, half our starting offense is out with injuries, including Martinez, all-American lineman Spencer Long, and all-B1G receiver Kenny Bell.
Our D is talented but very young, so inconsistent. Getting better. One thing they've done well is get turnovers, so we're looking to get some more against DG.
Though you deserve to be favored, Nebraska has a lot to play for. For some reason we've had State's number and we play them at home. So a sweep of the Michigans would likely mean the Legends title for us.
Funny how similar the negativity, "can't settle for mediocrity" and "fire the coach" thinking on this blog mirrors Nebraska forums. I happen to think it's overblown as far as Pelini.
Anyway, may the best team win, next time we meet might be in a B1G title game.
November 5th, 2013 at 5:24 PM ^
I didn't want to create a whole post about this, but: can any students answer a question about logistics with the new rules?
A friend is trying to go to the game in a group of 3, but is obviously having trouble finding 3 tickets together. He's thinking about getting 2 non-student tickets and 1 student ticket, and then borrowing a couple of the "section tickets" from neighbors in the student section so he can walk his friends in. Will that work? Are people generally friendly about that, or does the usher-student antipathy make everybody tight-fisted?
Also: love it, michiganman14. Definitely agree that the next 3 are totally winnable, and — despite our pessimistic sports fan perceptions — you can't count out any Michigan team in The Game. If the sane and logical reasons that make a win against OSU seem really unlikely were all there is to it, well, why would we even be fans? Go Blue!
November 5th, 2013 at 5:48 PM ^
I remember traveling up for Nebraska 2011 to see two Top 20 teams thinking "I have no idea how this game will unfold", and Michigan putting the hammer down 45-17. I have a hunch this game will proceed similarly, although by not the same wide margin. 38-24 Michigan, I say.
November 6th, 2013 at 12:20 AM ^