Get your 2011 predictions in!
GAMES:
W - WMU
W - ND (we've beaten them with less, and this is home)
W - EMU
W - SDSU
W - Minnesota
L - @Nwestern (they win a shootout)
W - @MSU (we played them close but match up better on the line than 2009 or 2010)
W - Purdue (take it, hope)
W - @Iowa (they've lost too much, and we played them close even when overmatched)
L - @Illinois (maybe we break the Zook curse this year, but i think it will be tough)
L - Nebraska (most certain loss on schedule)
W - Ohio (bad QB situation, unclear coaching situation there/Hokamania here produce first win in ages)
RECORD: 9-3
PLACE: 2nd in Legends Division
BOWL: Capital One Bowl WOOT! WOOT!
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^
Undefeated, undisputed national champions.
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:50 PM ^
My solid prediction will be 8 and 4 plus a win in a January 1st bowl...
Home field advantage will be huge for Michigan and baring no injuries, an extra win is so attainable.. Go blue and hope I'm right or we actually go undefeated 97-98 style...
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
we lose to Iowa, Nebraska, ND. Beat MSU, and i'll reserve prediction on OSU. (My mind's telling me no... but my body, my body, is telling me yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss.)
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:00 PM ^
If the offense can break through OSU's defense, I think there's a very good chance we win that game. Their defense is going to be their good unit this year, and they'll probably rely on them to keep scores low for the offense to overcome. If we put up points, I don't think they'll be able to hold on in a shootout.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:08 PM ^
Problem with that is we have not put up more than 10 pts against OSU since 2006...
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
Might as well make this double somewhat useful...
2007 - 3
2008 - 7
2009 - 10
2010 - 7
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:13 PM ^
Hence the "if". Hopefully this will be the year. With a junior Denard with starting experience, we should be able to put up points on anyone.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:51 PM ^
With the predictions for defense, we will need to score around 28 against OSU to have a chance.. Possible, but our whole defense will have to be healthy by that weekend to beat the.. Remember it's the week after Nebraska.. Fingers crossed we break that curse..
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^
OTOH if OSU loses Herron or one of the QB's during the year they might be seriously screwed on offense. Injuries will happen, but right now we have no clue which way they'll come down.
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:53 PM ^
Pivotal Game = Sparty... If we beat Sparty it's all about 'The Knowledge'.
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:53 PM ^
western-w
nd-L
emu-w
sdsu-w
minn-w
nw-w
msu-L
pur-w
IA-w
ill-w
neb-L
osu-L
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
*FAINTS*
Actually, this off season hasn't been overwhelmed by these, oddly. But no better time than right now.
I think I said the same thing last year, and losses to both MSU and PSU (thought we'd beat the former, then when they were good and the latter was worse, flip the win) kept it from coming to be, but 8-4.
Thinking we lose to ND, Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio. But I'd gladly trade that last one for any other game on the schedule. But really, I think the way the teams play out, it's one of those "can win any game/lose any game" situations that always seem true, but really seems possible at this point. After the last couple of Septembers, I don't want to count any chickens, but if we can beat ND, we might be on the road to surpass that a bit. If we lose, we may win one of the other games, but are probably just as likely to drop some one like NW we're not sure about.
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
W - WMU
L - ND (It's been very close the last two years)
W - EMU
W - SDSU
W - Minnesota
W - @Nwestern
L - @MSU
W - Purdue
W - @Iowa
W - @Illinois
L - Nebraska
W - Ohio State
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^
10-2. Losses to Iowa and Nebraska.
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^
that the further in the season you go the worse Nebraska plays. I think playing at the big house that late in the year is ideal for Michigan.
With being said Michigan shocks the world goes 10-2 wins the tiebreaker with Nebraska and loses to Wisconsin in the title game.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^
8-4
WMU: W
ND: L
EMU: W
SDSU: W
MINN: W
NW: W
MSU: L
PUR: W
IOWA: L
ILL: W
NEB: L
OSU: W
Protip that I just learned: If you shift-enter, you make the successive line single spaced as opposed to the default double spaced.
For example:
Shift enter
Enter
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:00 PM ^
Lose to ND, Illinois, Nebraska. Bowl game...mmm...win.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:02 PM ^
We will beat Ohio.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:02 PM ^
I'll put probabilities on these games instead of just calling them wins or losses.
WMU: 95%. RR's teams always played well in the opener.
ND: 40%. They look tough this year.
EMU: 100%.
SDSU: 75%. They could give us trouble if their replacement receivers are ok.
Minnesota: 90%. I don't think they have the horses to stay with us.
@Nwestern: 65%. Their defense was as bad as ours last year and loses more, and how healthy is Persa?
@MSU: 45%. This will depend on whether our DL can exploit their shaky OL.
Purdue: 80%. No Kerrigan, and now no Henry for the luckless Boilers.
@Iowa: 55%. We look better on paper but games at Iowa City are never easy.
@Illinois: 55%. They lost some standouts, but are still dangerous.
Nebraska: 35%. Great D, but O was capable of flatlining against anyone last year.
OSU: 45%. OSU looks a lot weaker this year, but their new QB and defenders should be settled in by the end of the season.
That works out to 7.8 wins, which I will round up to 8. 8-4 and a decent second-tier bowl. I will make one specific prediction: no losses by more than two scores.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:02 PM ^
We split ND, MSU, Nebraska, and OSU.
ND goes 8-4 this year too. Calling it.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:03 PM ^
Think we'll lose to Iowa? I know Ferentz will have them ready to play, but only 10 returning starters and some big big losses (Clayborn, Stanzi, Robinson, both OGs, entire starting LB corps).
Think this is a golden opportunity to beat them.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^
We MUST beat Sparty and the buckeyes this year.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^
WMU - W
ND - W
EMU - W
SDSU - W
MINN - W
@NW - W
@MSU - W
Purdue - W
@Iowa - W
@Illinois - W
Neb- W
Ohio - W
Wisconsin - W
Oregon - W
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:14 PM ^
Oregon won't make the title game!
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:14 PM ^
WMU - W
ND - L
EMU - W
SDSU - W
Minn. - W
NW - W
MSU - W
Purdue - W
Iowa - L
Illinois - W
Nebraska - L
OSU - L
8-4
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^
Why the loss to Iowa
Their OL should be good, their RB's good. But they have a new QB, and though he played well in one game against OSU in 2009, no one really knows anything about him. QB is the most important position on the field, with an outsized effect on W-L. And the D seems like a weak spot this year, given the amount of personnel they lost.
September 2nd, 2011 at 5:27 PM ^
Their defense is always awesome.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^
western- W Closer than it should be but a win.
nd- W We pull out all the stops and win in 3 OTs
emu- W Blow Out Win
sdsu- W the wheels really start to get moving, and we win comfortably
minn- L I'm going to be at this game so we will lose with my luck
nw- W At this game too but even my luck isn't that bad, competetive game thru 3 Quarters Denard does his thing in the 4th to clinch it
msu- W need to shut those guys in EL up
pur- W its purdue....
IA- W Iowa seems weak this year
ill- W Zooks year to choke so don't think they will do much
neb-L Lose a close one
osu- W and clinch the legends devision with the win
Big Ten Chap Game against Wincy - W - Wilson is beat up and one demensional by this point, Denard is as well but still has some wheels, Close one but michigan wins
Rose Bowl vs Stanford: L Runner up in Heisman Vs. Winner of Heisman in a grudgematch. We lose though :(
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:20 PM ^
I'm guessing Denard was the winner of the heisman, right?
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:20 PM ^
W - WMU
L - ND
W - EMU
W - SDSU
W - Minnesota
W - @Nwestern
W - @MSU
W - Purdue
W - @Iowa
W - @Illinois
L - Nebraska
W - Ohio
L - Wisconsin (We win 3-way tie in Legends Div)
W- Florida
11-3
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^
losses to Iowa and Nebraska. lose tiebreaker to Nebraska for B1G Legends
/rosecolored_glasses
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^
Losses to Neb, Iowa, and SDSU.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
I'm very curious to know why everyone feels like we will lose to ND at home this year.
Let's say their QB doesn't get knocked out this time, but our defense is improved even just a little from last year. Wouldn't that make it even?
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
I'm very curious to know why everyone feels like we will lose to ND at home this year.
Let's say their QB doesn't get knocked out this time, but our defense is improved even just a little from last year. Wouldn't that make it even?
September 2nd, 2011 at 2:22 PM ^
to the mean.
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:00 AM ^
Western- win 42-13
ND- loss 27-21
EMU - win 56-7
SDSU -win 34-24
MN-win 38-10
NW- loss 27-24
Aggies - win 35-24
Purdue-win 34-7
IA- win 24-13
IL - win 35-27
Neb - loss 24-21
Ohio - win 31-21
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
9-3. Losses to ND, Nebraska, Ohio State.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^
As in most major finance projects, Year 0 kind of sucks. Usually, the money doesn't start rolling in until Year 1 or 2....
WMU W
NDAME L
EMU W
SD STATE W (by a butt hair)
MINN W
at NW L
at MSU W
PUR W
at IOWA L
at ILL L
NEB L
OSU L
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^
WMU-W
ND-L
EMU-W
SDSU-W
Minn-W
NW-L
MSU-L
Pur-W
Iowa-W
Ill-W
Neb-L
OSU-W
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:41 PM ^
9-3 with losses to NW, Iowa, and Nebraska.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^
WMU: L
ND: W
EMU: L
SDSU: L
MINN: L
NW: L
MSU: W
PUR: L
IOWA: L
ILL: L
NEB: L
OSU: W
3-9 Hoke will be considered a GOD!
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^
8-4 seems right. What I can't understand is why so many people think M loses at Iowa. Granted, Kinnick is a tough place to play, and Iowa is always a good opponent. But this year's Iowa is marked downgrade from Iowa of the past two seasons. Whereas this year's M team, which nearly beat Iowa during both those years, ought to be at least somewhat improved. I like M's chances in Iowa City.
Then again: last year's score was a bit deceiving, given that M made it close only after falling behind by 800 points. So.
September 3rd, 2011 at 12:10 AM ^
I think it's because when people are looking at our schedule trying to find 4 losses, a loss @Iowa seems much more bearable than another loss to MSU.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:49 PM ^
I got the same record, but different particulars.
W - WMU
L - ND: second year of spread is usually a leap year, defense is better than Michigan right now
W - EMU
W - SDSU
W - Minnesota
W - @Nwestern
W - @MSU: Sparty unmasked as the imposters they are.
W - Purdue
L - @Iowa: corn hypnosis strikes again
W - @Illinois
L - Nebraska: countdown clock syndrome
W - Ohio: upside of countdown clock plus extremely pissed at losing to NU
RECORD: 9-3
PLACE: 2nd in Legends Division
BOWL: Outback Bowl
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
UM v. Western - W (Rainy conditions limit the passing game, WMU's offense is too 1 dimensional)
UM v. #17 ND - W (Atmosphere crushes the ND team and forces Crist to go blind in both eyes for a brief period)
#25 UM v. Eastern - W (lol)
#25 UM v. SDSU - W (Strength is run game, Denard knows the 3-3-5)
#20 UM v. Minnesota - W (It will be close... this minnesota team will be vastly improved)
#19 UM v. Northwestern - W (Persa is not healthy enough to have a multi faceted offense, NW Defense collapses as a result. Mabin gets ridiculed by Hemingway)
#14 UM v. #13 MSU - W (Countdown clocks)
# 14 UM v. Iowa - W (Trap, but we pull it out in the end)
#11 UM v. Illinois - L (Scheelhasse destroys us)
UM v.#18 Nebraska - L (Close loss... the Nebraska team is vastly overrated)
UM v. #24 Ohio - W (Student section storms the field, ann arbor explodes from happiness)
September 2nd, 2011 at 5:03 PM ^
If we are 9-1 going into the Nebraska game there is a 0% chance we're going to be unranked. I'm being a bit nit-picky but that was bothering me.
September 2nd, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^
These predictions assume no injuries to Denard, Martin, VanBergen, Demens or Woolfolk
8-4 With no wins against our three rivals. But we win all the games we should, don't get blown out in any games except Nebraska and show a lot of improvement on defense, a little improvement on special teams and some regression on offense.
WMU-W. Look good doing it.
ND-L Close but can't pull it out
SDSU-W. Closer than we like but still by > a touchdown
EMU-W. Blowout
Minnesota-W. Blowout
NW-W.
MSU-L. Could easily go W here. But they killed us last year and its in EL.
Purdue-W
Iowa-W
Illinois-W
Nebraska-L. This is the only game I think we have no chance winning.
Ohio-L. Really want to pick W here. Think we have a really good chance for the upset.