Checking in on Aaron McMann's "predictions"
Oh, sportswriters. Other than their need for MOAR content, I don't know why these news organizations publish all this fluff. This predictions list published by some guy named Aaron McMann wandered through the sidebar of MLive just now, and curiosity prevailed. I know, I know, why do I bother looking at MLive? I'm not sure. I'm glad it's not my job to author these prediction threads.
I love Michigan football with a passion, and am enjoying rooting my ass off for the 2019 squad, but check these out, with the benefit of hindsight.
LINK or it didn't happen. Summary of predictions made early in the week of the opener:
"Patterson tops 3200 yards passing" - Well.. I'm a Shea fan and I think we have the right guy under center at this moment, but the production isn't really optimal. 9 games through a 12 game regular season slate, Shea's going to have to set records three games in a row to sniff 3200 from his current 1773. 4 straight 400 yard games including the bowl gets it done!
"Turner emerges as the No 1 RB" - Welllll... he's 4th on the team in rushing. Charbonnet looks like a really good true freshman, and Haskins has emerged of late. Tru Wilson has contributed in spots. I'm hopeful from more in the future from Turner, but this is a head scratcher of a prediction.
"1,000 yard receiver" - Welllllllll... I think many of us may have made this prediction, but now, with several NFL caliber stud receivers not getting a ton of targets, Michigan's leading receiver is Ronnie Bell with 460 yards. Studs named Collins, Black, and Peoples-Jones have a combined 63 catches for 910 yards. Scenario wise, when Shea absolutely erupts for 4 straight games of 400 yards each, provided he doesn't spread it around too much, Michigan gets its 1000 yard receiver!
"Breakout season for Paye" - Aaron nailed this bold prediction. Paye is nasty.
"Loss vs Notre Dame" - Sorry Aaron, Michigan kicked the shit out of Notre Dame. Suck it, Notre Dame.
"Michigan D falters early" - Well... my interpretation is that it really hasn't gone down that way. Michigan D might not be as lights out as some recent versions, and got lit up by Wisconsin, but thank god for Michigan D in 2019.
"The losing streak ends" - Could happen. This, of course, means beating Ohio State, which is as far from a sure thing as you can get. Recent bright spots provide some optimism, but, come on, this is going to be a war. Aaron underrated OSU, going on to predict multiple losses for them.
"Miss out on playoff". This was included as an addition to ending that pesky losing streak. If Michigan runs the table, there's still a good chance they are left out. Good call, Aaron.
Just having some fun here. Discuss if you wish.
November 6th, 2019 at 11:31 AM ^
Before the season, I predicted a 13% hit rate across the board for predictions on clickbait threads. Looks like I nailed it.
November 6th, 2019 at 11:32 AM ^
I think we all thought Shea would take a step in a positive direction this year, and that really impacted a lot of predictions. That, and turnovers, and prematurely expecting OSU to take a step back.
November 6th, 2019 at 11:38 AM ^
I didn't think that
November 6th, 2019 at 11:55 AM ^
you also predicted we'd lose to army by 133 points.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:29 PM ^
Touche
November 6th, 2019 at 11:32 AM ^
"Recent bright spots provide some optimism"
Please expand...
November 6th, 2019 at 11:38 AM ^
Michigan has played a lot better since the 2nd half of Penn State, including that glorious Notre Dame blowout. "Bright spots". Around the time of the Wisconsin game, beating Ohio State looked like a pipe dream. Currently, it looks like something that could happen if things go well. Gotta take care of Sparty and Indiana first.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:17 PM ^
Hate to say it, but I don't think Michigan has actually turned a corner. Patterson looked bad against ND and bad again last week. We crushed ND with good defense, beautiful offensive playcalling, and a home night crowd advantage. But I just don't see the type of improvement needed to finish 10-2.
November 6th, 2019 at 11:32 AM ^
Holy shit. Are you telling me that random predictions made on fan sites like this one AREN'T always 100% accurate????
I may need a moment here to gather myself before trying to finish out my day. This is devastating news.
November 6th, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
I know, I know. I just came here to have some fun with it.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:11 PM ^
You seem a little verklempt
November 6th, 2019 at 11:33 AM ^
even if we win out and do it in blowout fashion we are not making the playoffs. that's ok though because it would still be a nice finish to the season and help me feel good and that's what's important here
November 6th, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
This is why predictions are stupid
November 6th, 2019 at 11:56 AM ^
Yeah, I just got a bit long winded in carrying on about why they are stupid. Didn't get the best sleep last night, and had a little downtime here this morning.
November 6th, 2019 at 2:14 PM ^
It's better to be thought a fool and remain silent than to open one's mouth and prove it
- several attributions.
Still, no guts no glory.
I predict that Evenyoubrutus will get fewer thumbs up for his comment than I'll get for this one!
Neg me to prove him right!!!
November 6th, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
not necessarily from this article but over time I've learned to completely ignore MLive articles that come up in the newsfeed. Mgoblog and Sam Webb are all you need if you love Michigan sports.
MLive needs clicks, and they write their headlines to maximize clicks. They also don't proofread.
Show me an MLive article with zero spelling or grammatical errors and I'll give you a dollar. Show me an MLive article with zero one sentence paragraphs and I'll give you two dollars.
November 6th, 2019 at 1:43 PM ^
So what's a guy gotta do to get three dollars? Asking for a friend.
November 6th, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
1) who the hell is aaron mcmann?
2) who the hell is aaron mcmann?
November 6th, 2019 at 11:53 AM ^
Never heard of her.
November 6th, 2019 at 5:59 PM ^
Hey there troll. How ya been?
November 6th, 2019 at 11:58 AM ^
Apparently Aaron is someone that gets published writing about Michigan football on MLive. Might even get paid for it.
November 6th, 2019 at 1:22 PM ^
Does he also go by the name 'flying dutchman' on messageboards?
November 6th, 2019 at 9:07 PM ^
He does not. If Aaron were really the Dutchman it would be strange to poke fun of himself anonymously. Right?
November 7th, 2019 at 10:00 AM ^
more strange than picking an article from a journalist five people have heard of and never read his predictions? No.
November 6th, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^
Aaron McMann used to do the prep sports coverage in the Flint Area. He was... not very good.
November 6th, 2019 at 11:49 AM ^
Brian's offensive predictions aren't looking great either
November 6th, 2019 at 12:03 PM ^
Maybe, but Brian doesn't call them predictions. He calls them "opportunities for him to look stupid."
November 6th, 2019 at 11:50 AM ^
He is not too great a listen on podcasts. He is a low talker.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:01 PM ^
The slam-dunk prediction was that Shea was going to break the UofM record for TD passes in a season. Just look at all that talent at WR and #speedinspace. So far, he has 12 in 9 games. Sigh.
I thought we would average north of 40 ppg. So far, we're at 31.8. Double sigh.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:39 PM ^
The saddest part is that the TD record is so low. <sigh>
November 6th, 2019 at 12:08 PM ^
Lol look at Brian’s predictions. He said Shea would end up in New York.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:38 PM ^
Daniel Jones will need a backup. /s
November 6th, 2019 at 12:16 PM ^
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future."
- Berra, Y.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:35 PM ^
Every sportswriter on cbssportsline picked the Astros to beat the Nats in the WS. These sportswriters are no better than people commenting on this blog when it comes to predictions. Or maybe no better than monkeys throwing darts at a predictions board.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:36 PM ^
He's a tool. Not sure how he got his job, he knows absolutely nothing.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:41 PM ^
The team is improving, but seeing any realistic scenario of beating OSU is extremely tough right now. So right now, I think the streak continues.
The one knock against OSU thus far is that they have started slow in quite a few of their games. Scored only 7 in Q1 against Indiana, 7 in Q1 against Northwestern, and 10 in the whole first half against Wisconsin. If Michigan can somehow find a way to build an early lead, that'll allow them to weather the storm when the OSU offense eventually comes to life in the second or third quarter. Before you laugh at the concept of Michigan scoring on OSU's defense, we almost built a 21-0 lead against OSU with John O'Korn as the QB, so don't tell me it can't be done.
Beyond that, Shea's got to have the best game of his entire career, Young has to be held as close to a stalemate as possible, and Collins, Black and DPJ HAVE to be the focal point of the offense that day. Because I have a really hard time envisioning Charbonnet and Haskins getting more than 3 ypc on the day. Finally, Michigan simply can't shoot itself in the foot and lose this game for themselves. That's how we lost 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017. All games Michigan could've won, but were lost on self-inflicted wounds.
Do all of this, ALL of it, and maybe you get the game to a coinflip.
November 6th, 2019 at 12:54 PM ^
Did Aaron McMann pick on you as a kid?
November 6th, 2019 at 12:59 PM ^
He did not.
November 6th, 2019 at 1:50 PM ^
OT season starting earlier than normal I see...
November 6th, 2019 at 3:21 PM ^
Predictions are like assholes, everybody has one
November 6th, 2019 at 8:07 PM ^
You really think his "Michigan D falters early" prediction was wrong given they got steamrolled by Wisconsin in the 3rd game/1st conference game? Seems pretty spot on actually.
November 6th, 2019 at 8:53 PM ^
He’s an idiot. Regardless of these predictions