MichFan1997

August 17th, 2016 at 2:33 PM ^

That kind of surprised me too. But I don't think the big Power 5 schools really ever trend into the negative. Even our worst teams were still better than basically all the mid-majors out there. The records and performance will look pretty bad when you're playing all Power 5 opponents though. 

Joined: 08/04/2008

MGoPoints: 10713

NittanyFan

August 17th, 2016 at 8:17 PM ^

None of those 3 were great themselves, but they were definitely above average.  And Michigan beat them all. 

From that perspective, the above 0 S&P+ score for the 2008 and 2009 U-M teams does "pass the sniff test."

1988 Ohio State being below zero really surprises me.  They had a rather dreadful (41-7!!!!!) loss to Indiana, but they also beat Syracuse & LSU, who both finished the year in the Top 20.

On the flip side, 2003 Penn State (like U-M, PSU had no negative years over the entire time period) being above zero surprises me slightly.  Only 3 wins: Temple, Kent State and Indiana.  Dreadful offense, but the defense was admittedly pretty stout, however.

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43094

MayOhioEatTurds

August 17th, 2016 at 3:39 PM ^

It averages about -9, and is the worst average for any coach at Indiana until you go back to John Pont's tenure in 1970-72. 

As unreliable as DiNardo's hot takes on the Hoke power run game were, he surprisingly appears more competent as a BTN commentator than he was as a coach. 

Joined: 06/29/2013

MGoPoints: 5893