Herbstreit said Michigan will be 10-1 going into The Game

Submitted by South TX MFan on

This may have already been talked about in other threads, but I haven't seen it. I also haven't gone through every post either. Sorry if it's old news.

During the GameDay telecast Herbstreit said he believes Michigan will be 10-1 heading into Columbus, with our only loss coming to MSU. Desmond agreed. Pollack said that might be possible, but it'd be because of our schedule and Notre Dame and Northwestern missing players, and we still wouldn't be what he considers a "great team." Herbstreit countered, saying that Michigan will be a lot better than most people think. This was prior to the Appalachian State game.

I was really surprised to hear this, especially since a vast majority of analysts I've heard talk about Michigan said that we'll be down again. Herbstreit even gave more credit to us than I did, as I guessed we'd be 9-2 at that point.

So far so good! It'll be nice to get some respect again.

ifis

August 31st, 2014 at 1:14 AM ^

MSU is probably not as good this year.  ...the best defense in college football with a below average offense >>> an average to above average defense with an average offense...  We have more talent than they do and I think we are better coached than they are now that Borges is gone.  Still, I think their strengths match up against our weaknesses in an unfortunate way and it is in their backyard.  It should be a good game. 

triangle_M

August 31st, 2014 at 9:07 AM ^

They do not appear to have the offensive problems that they had at the outset of last year.  I didn't watch the MSU game but the Conner's numbers were similar to Gardner:

  • 12/13  for 285 yards, 21.9/attempt 3TD/0 INT 100.0 QBR

And they had 211 yards on the ground at 4.2 yards/carry and 50 carries.

 

I think it will be a game.

 

Box score <LINK>

grumbler

August 31st, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^

Yeah, I think that the argument that they will be weaker on defense because they have to replace guys is tired.  MSU has a very good system now on defense, and they've had good defenses for a number of years, replacing guys all the while.

On a neutral field, I think I'd give Michigan a slight edge.  In East Lansing, that slight edge goes the other way.  Hope I'm wrong.

Double-D

August 31st, 2014 at 12:03 AM ^

Was so pathetic the 1st month of last season. Their D held them together. Losing six guys on D is not something that should be overlooked. We are deeper and more talented. Their O line is very thin. We should beat those guys this year.

SWPro

August 31st, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^

So what you are saying is "Cook just wins!"

 

Look the guy is a solid QB but Gardner is way more talented.

 

Last year when comparing the two Cook looked like a "winner" because his team had the best defense in the country. Gardner was never in a game where if the running game couldn't pick up 10 yards on 3 plays you just punted it away and waited for the defense to score a TD.

 

People seem to forget that in the 1st month of the season MSU's defense was not only steller but it scored more points than it allowed. Their defense LITERALLY won the game. LIke seriously they outscored their opponents.

LSAClassOf2000

August 31st, 2014 at 12:24 AM ^

The Detroit News quoted him regarding this:

“Look at that schedule, if they can win in South Bend, they’re (7-0) before they go to East Lansing, an area they’ve been three or four of the last five years,” ESPN analyst Kirk Hebrstreit said this morning. “This team has a great chance with new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, he’ll be able to get them to establish the inside run game, they’ll be able to throw the ball easier throws for Devin Gardner."

It's the high end of the the popular 9-3 pick around here, but going 10-1 into The Game? I don't think anyone here would complain about it.

BornInAA

August 30th, 2014 at 11:30 PM ^

Anything is possible in sports.

I believe the best odds are a 3 loss season.

However, it's quite possible to do better, Navy had Ohio for 2/3 of a game.

Wisconsin looks tough, kicking LSU butt.

 

Thad_Castle

August 30th, 2014 at 11:37 PM ^

I hate how in every prediction it's a forgone conclusion that State beats us. Fuck that, even in best case scenario on Mgoblog he had us losing to them. We're not losing to them, they lost all their defensive players, they are not better than us. 12-0 my boys, 12-0. Let's go blue!

Leonhall

August 31st, 2014 at 9:12 AM ^

I agree, however, state didn't lose all their defensive players, still, I think we beat them. We have the talent and hopefully this year we'll at them with a chip on our shoulder and quit pretending like that game isn't a big deal and only Osu is our rival. It's time to beat them.


Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Danwillhor

August 31st, 2014 at 12:17 AM ^

buy David Pollack is a clown. He genuinely has a clear dislike of Michigan in particular (no, not my fan bias) and doesn't really add anything to the discussion but hyperbole and either very vague or very direct predictions/statements. He's like an SEC fanboy given a permanent make a wish gift of being a pundit.

ChiCityWolverine

August 30th, 2014 at 11:59 PM ^

I don't understand irrational hate/disdain for a guy like Herbstreit. He's an objectively solid analyst, especially compared to many of the blowhards out there, and he is USUALLY very fair about Michigan for a Buckeye.


Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Tater

August 30th, 2014 at 11:59 PM ^

Herbie's prediction is in line with my prediciton, except I think they are more likely to lose to NW than MSU due to "intangibles."  So I guess that means I almost agree with a Buckeye.  Ugh.