The future is looking bright
I'm thinking that this class we inked today will be something special by the time they're Soph's or RS FR heading into the 2013 season. We'll have Gardner at QB with Bellomy and a FR Morris backing him, I'm assuming, unless one of those guys beats him out, you never know.
Add in the 2013 class, which could be another top 5 class and all the upper classmen that started playing the past 2 seasons and it would seem that 2013 can be something special, the schedule is more home friendly and our coaches will have had 3 years working in the system.
I think 2012 will be a good season with a very possible 10 wins, but there are some tough games and on the road too. Who knows, the team might kick ass next year as well, look at what they accomplished in 2011. Was just wondering what you guys think.
February 2nd, 2012 at 3:15 AM ^
could possibly contend for a national title next year. If we figure out the center situation and if Pipkins or BWC prove serviceable, then we're set.
February 2nd, 2012 at 3:30 AM ^
I love your optimism.
February 2nd, 2012 at 3:34 AM ^
I also love pineapples and all tropical fruits
February 2nd, 2012 at 5:48 AM ^
Me 3!
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:02 AM ^
February 2nd, 2012 at 3:45 AM ^
Alabama and Ohio are the only two games that we have a legit chance of losing. We get Alabama early and they have to break in a lot of new starters and Ohio will be implementing a brand new offense, not to mention they have nothing to play for but pride at the end of the season. Remember, the first year of USC's bowl ban, they lost to ND for the first time in 8 years. And if Denard improves as much as Borges says 2nd year QBs in his system do, then it might be enough to cover up any hole left on the defense. A lot of ifs, I know, but I called 10-2 at the beginning of this season and I was laughed at then too.
February 2nd, 2012 at 5:49 AM ^
So there is no chance we lose any of the other 10 games? Good to know
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:05 AM ^
yup...those are thankfully now inked
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:09 AM ^
I wouldn't underestimate the power of pride in a rivalry like Michigan-Ohio, especially when they're at home and under a new head coach eager to set the tone of the rivalry in a Tresselian way. Keep in mind too that over the Bo-Woody era, the team that was undefeated and/or had the better record (theoretically the team with the most non-pride things to play for) ended up losing The Game more often than not. I just don't think it's particularly analogous to USC-ND.
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:39 AM ^
Brian has pretty much convinced me that the defense is worth worrying about. Ondre helps us a bunch, but so much of that senior defensive front is gone, and our corners have had trouble with elite receivers, it seems.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:02 AM ^
Prior to the 2011 season, he convinced many people that Hoke wasn't the right guy for the job, the offense would regress significantly and the defense had little hope of being better than average.
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<br>On defense, we should be as good as last year if not better at 8 of 11 positions. While we could have the same defensive bacfield as last year, I think Countess still has plenty of upside. There will also be real competition to take Floyd's spot.
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<br>Our starting linebackers could be the same, but even if they are, Morgan also likely continues to have significant upside and we're likely to have much stronger depth.
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<br>On DL, I think Roh also has room to grow. He rest of the DL has lots of question marks, but I think at least one of Washington or Campbell will step up. Washington in particular is a newbie to the DL and it isn't surprising that it is taking some time for him to step up. I also have alot of faith in Mattisonn's ability to get the most out of our strengths and to be able to minimize the impact of our weaknesses.
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<br>That said, Alabama scares the heck lut of me. That's gonna be a heck of a test for a new center and a rebuilt offensive line. I hope Hoke ia hard at work figuring out a magic thought for Khoury to use when he snaps as well as brunettes worked on Gibbons kicks.
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:48 AM ^
I agree with you. I find it very interesting that the same people who looked at this season (I was one of them) and thought we could hope for 8-5 at best, then saw what we pulled off (11 Wins, BCS Sugar Bowl Champions) based simply on the work ethic Hoke has inspired and the adjustments that guru known as Mattison made, are the same people who are prescribing a down year for us next year. Skill positions return. The Secondary is back. I don't know if you guys noticed our linebackers much this year.... If there is a seamless transition of talent on both lines then we are making a run for trophy number 12. If not, i say we still have a great shot at 10 wins and a shot at a Rose Bowl. Have a little faith.
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:15 AM ^
I agree with the OP that Bama and Ohio are the hardest on our schedule.
But Alabama, @ND, MSU, @Nebraska, @Ohio are all difficult games. Bama has signed Top 5 classes for years now under Saban. While we have beaten ND three years in a row, any of them could have been losses. State returns a strong defensive team which has made our offense look bad three years in a row. Nebraska is tough in Lincoln. Ohio has a lot of talent and Meyer will have had 11 games to prepare for their "bowl game" against us.
I dont think we will lose all but I would not be shocked if we lost any one of them. I see MSU and @Nebraska as the easiest so I think we have a great shot to win the B1G and go to the Rose Bowl.
I predict 10-4, losing in the Rose Bowl to USC (or Oregon is USC is still banned).
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:17 AM ^
This.
I'm concerned that we're going to overlook State next year because they've lost personnel at talent positions, but Andrew Maxwell is a wild card and could very easily step into Kork's shoes. In my opinion, we have no better than a .500 chance vs. MSU, @ND, and @NEB next year, and probably <.500 vs. Alabama and @Ohio.
On the other hand, my first Michigan football game as a college freshman was on September 1, 2007, so I'm deeply skeptical and pessimistic toward preseason hype.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:00 AM ^
There was a game that day?
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:41 AM ^
also, Kork Coupons is overrated. Coupons just to had to throw the ball up and Blow Job Cunningham and Nichol made plays. Without those two receivers their offense is going to struggle. Heck even if Coupons was starting this year I would still like our chances. Go Blue!
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:44 AM ^
They tried to rip our QB's head off, and Dantonio or some player is bound to say something stupid....and you think we're going to overlook MSU?
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:46 AM ^
we'll lose 6 games next year.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:22 AM ^
No we won't. You are wrong opinion based statement maker.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:57 AM ^
this thread is about football, not hoops
February 2nd, 2012 at 7:12 AM ^
There is no point in projecting Michigan's season next year. If a) Denard works out the kinks and finds a high comfort level in this offense, b) a replacement shows up at center and the line doesn't get into injury trouble, c) some quality shows up on the interior of the defensive line, this team could contend for a national title. It is far more likely that this team loses four games, however.
This team has potentially the most dominant quarterback in the nation and a young defense that went from the basement to a top-25 defense last year. The sky's the limit, but a LOT of things need to go right.
February 2nd, 2012 at 7:39 AM ^
We could very easily be contending for the national title if we win every game outside of the opener, which we do have a chance in (although many may write us off). The key point is you said contend, not win. Your statement basically says we are far more likely to lose our games against Nebraska, ND, MSU, and Ohio than win them. That does not seem anywhere near likely, unless you're expecting this program to regress significantly.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:00 AM ^
"Your statement basically says we are far more likely to lose our games against Nebraska, ND, MSU, and Ohio than win them."
That's not quite what he says. He says that it is likelier that Team 133 loses four games than that it beats ALL FOUR of Nebraska, ND, MSU, and Ohio (or beats 'Bama and loses to just one of these others) - because that's what it would take to "contend for a national title" next year.
I'd say he was probably right, but consider the odds of either of those eventualities to be low. I'd say that a three-loss season is the likeliest outcome in my eyes right now, but it is way early to be making these kinds of predictions.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:43 AM ^
for Alabama to have a first game letdown as we hopefully will have a strong start. Being on a neutral field instead of at Alabama will help. Either way, i'll be down there cheering for a Blue victory!
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:08 AM ^
I ax mahsef can we win the Big Ten in 2012 and 2013--and the answer is--yes, we might.
there is no such thing as a NC
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:31 AM ^
You can only look at the games that you saved to DVR so many times. Basketball season is pretty decent but it can't take the place of football for me...got to have it!
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:47 AM ^
We could go 13-0 or we could go 8-4. A lot of "what if's" to be answered next year. I think we'll land somewhere in the middle, which is fine as long as we make it to the Big10 Championship. I'll be going to see the Bama game and hopefully make it up to AA for the State game. Should be a exciting year.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:19 AM ^
most likely a 9-3 season with losses to ala, ohio, msu/iowa. For some reason iowa has had our number recently and people thought we would beat them this year without stanzi, nope.
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:48 AM ^
They will not lost to Ohio. I'm not worried about Ohio at all quite honestly
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:09 PM ^
I cannot see us losing to Sparty this year. They will have our full attention (even if we continue to chant "Beat Ohio").