Better Record in '09: Michigan or ND?
I know, it's way to early to speculate. Either way, who do you think will have a better record in '09 between Michigan and Notre Dame?
I think it's a toss up. Michigan will be improved and probably around 7 to 8 wins and Notre Dame can't get any worse with that talent. We both have easier schedules too, including we get them at home year.
I always measure our record up against ND becasue I don't want to lose the overall winning percentage... that's my ace in the hole when I argue with fans from ND, OSU, etc.
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:52 PM ^
Honestly, I'd say Notre Dame. They have a cupcake schedule next year plus upperclassmen at most of the starting positions. They should win 10 games.
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:55 PM ^
5-7 next year, so I'd say ND. However after that, it should be closer, as ND does poor with good talent.
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:15 PM ^
it should be notre dame. on paper, then you realize charlie weis is their coach and then it's a crapshoot.
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:16 PM ^
But looking at both schedules:
Michigan:
WMU (probable win)
ND (toss up)
EMU (lock)
Indiana (probable win)
@MSU (toss up)
@Iowa (toss up)
Open day (probable win against some scrub)
PSU (somewhere between probable loss and toss up)
@Ill (toss up)
Purdue (probable win)
@Wis (toss up)
OSU (probable loss)
I'd say somewhere between 7 and 10 wins is the most likely outcome.
Now on to ND:
Sept. 5 NEVADA (probable win)
Sept. 12 at Michigan (toss up)
Sept. 19 MICHIGAN STATE (toss up)
Sept. 26 at Purdue (toss up/probable win)
Oct. 3 WASHINGTON (lock)
Oct. 10 Open Date (probable win against some scrub)
Oct. 17 USC (lock of a beatdown)
Oct. 24 BOSTON COLLEGE (toss up/probable loss)
Oct. 31 vs. Washington State (at San Antonio, Texas)(lock)
Nov. 7 NAVY (probable win)
Nov. 14 at Pittsburgh (toss up)
Nov. 21 CONNECTICUT (toss up)
Nov. 28 at Stanford (toss up/probable win)
I think 7-10 wins is about right here too, although I think it will be easier for ND to get to 7 wins than it will for Michigan.
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:45 PM ^
I wouldn't count EMU (or anyone for that matter) as a lock considering ASU and Toledo. Not to mention that they will have a new coach next year and who knows what could happen to them. They could have the next Brian Kelly come in and revamp them.
I give Michigan the upper hand in next year's game against ND because we severely outplayed once you take away our turnovers.
I also give the upper hand to Michigan against MSU next year because they will be without Ringer and Hoyer.
Because of that I think that Michigan will get to 7 wins first, but it will probably depend on who wins the game between them.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:06 PM ^
How short is the collective memory around here?
There is no such thing as a "lock" or "Functional DNP."
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:26 PM ^
Eastern is a terrible football team and a terrible program they should not be getting compared to Appy State. ASU is a 1AA dynasty that snuck up on an ill prepared Michigan team that thought it was going to show up and win without breaking a sweat.
Toledo is a decent MAC program that has wins over PSU and in a couple of bowls this decade. The wheels have fallen off the past few years but Toledo had been one of the best teams in the MAC this decade.
Toledo needed a missed chip shop at the end of the game, a pick six (which was in essence a 14 point swing in their favor) and a second half full of Nick Sheridan to beat Michigan. Lets be honest, that was a flukey win.
There is no way that an EMU team that is going to come in to the Big House and win in year two of the RR era.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:50 PM ^
And before the ASU game, there was no way that #5 Michigan was going to lose a I-AA team at home. And before the Toledo game, there was no way that we were going to lose to one of the worst MAC teams this year. You do know that the "decent MAC program" that you speak of had the exact same record as the "terrible football team" that you are saying is a lock, right?
I am not saying that I think that EMU will beat us next year, but to say that they are a lock is completely asinine. Keep in mind that their junior QB just threw for over 1000 yards on 108 completions in his last two games this season. So, unless our DBs are leaps and bounds ahead of where they were last season, there is going to be a chance that the Washtenaw rivalry has a new winner next year.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:34 PM ^
that Toledo and EMU had the same record this year. That does not change the fact that EMU is a horrible football program.
They have been to one bowl game ever and have had 6 total winning seasons.
I hardly think that predicting Michigan a lock to beat a terrible MAC program is "completely asinine."
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 PM ^
I think WMU is more toss-up/probable loss than probable win at this point. WMU will be decent next year. That's our 1st game, the defense will have lots of underclassmen/1st time starters. I really don't think any game is "safe" until we actually win.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:12 PM ^
I'm a bit more pessimistic about the WMU and Iowa games. WMU will return their QB and HB for their senior seasons, as well as their #3 WR. I'm not saying I expect to lose, but if there is a "somewhere between probable loss and toss up" then WMU is "somewhere between probable win and toss up." If anything it should be a decent gauge to how the season is going to go.
I'm giving Iowa benefit of the doubt of returning Green as a senior as well.
I'm thinking 5 wins is where we top out. This assumes minimal increases in ability between now and next season. If we are better, sure, I could see 7 games, but I'm not expecting us to get much better (yet).
As for ND, 6-7 I would say for sure, perhaps 8 or 9 if they catch some breaks along the way.
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:22 PM ^
OSU is a lock of a loss for us I'm affraid.
OSU:Michigan::USC:ND
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:26 PM ^
OSU is a very probably loss, but they are not USC. I think ND and UM next year will be comparable, so your analogy implies that OSU and USC are comparable, and that's not the case. OSU will be losing a good amount of talent from this year's team, hopefully that will include their tail back who has been running over us for 3 years now. I'm not predicting a Michigan victory, but we have a much better shot than ND does to beat the Trojans.
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:43 PM ^
michigan will be 7-5... our defense will be very similar to this year(inconsistant).. i think our o will improve.. it all depends on our oline
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:22 PM ^
O-Line will be fine
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:48 PM ^
Don't forget they got Dayne Crist last year, a 5 star QB, 6'5" 230 lbs. So if Jimmy starts to slip they might have some help from Crist as a sophomore. They also have some really good running backs from last class and this year, which should help. I think they're going to be better than everyone thinks. Still not up to their potential, and the type of recruits they get, but better.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:10 PM ^
I think ND wins at least 8 next year with their fairly favorable schedule. As far as Michigan goes, I'd like to think that they can get at least 6 or 7 wins and get a fleabag bowl bid. I fear that we're in for another looooong season next year, though, resulting in an extreme amount of heat coming down on both Rich Rod and Bill Martin.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:39 PM ^
Michigan has over nd coaching staff...I would say whomever can develop an offensive line and shore up the qb position(Michigan breaking in frosh and nd perhaps facing a qb controversy) should be in good shape.
Michigan will be MUCH better next season.
ND won't be any better next season....cw just isn't the coach nd can win with.