M v. ND, Minnesota v. Syracuse, and B1G v. Yes, it can get worse

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September 20th, 2012 at 2:55 PM
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justingoblue
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M v. ND, Minnesota v. Syracuse, and B1G v. Yes, it can get worse

The Big Ten faces a pretty pathetic slate of teams, with only Michigan and Minnesota (kind of Penn State with Temple in their first season as a Big East team) facing BCS opponents. Thankfully conference play starts next weekend, so things should get more interesting. Caesars lines this week:

Syracuse @ Minnesota (-1)
Louisiana Tech @ Illinois (-2.5)
Michigan @ Notre Dame (-5.5)
Temple @ Penn State (-7.5)
Central Michigan @ Iowa (-15.5)
UTEP @ Wisconsin (-18)
Eastern Michigan @ Michigan State (-33)
UAB @ Ohio (-38)
South Dakota @ Northwestern (FCS)
Idaho State @ Nebraska (FCS)
Indiana, Bye
Purdue, Bye

Who looks like the best bet? Michigan is the only team not favored this weekend, do we upset Notre Dame? Does it get worse for the rest of the Big Ten? Can Minnesota start out 4-0 while covering their one point spread? Does Penn State finally manage to lose to Temple?

Also, O/U for Michigan v. Notre Dame is 50. Which do you take?

Go Blue!

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September 20th, 2012 at 3:03 PM | Michigan and the over. (Score:5 Normal)
triangle_M
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Joined: 03/09/2011
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Michigan and the over.

 


And when we play as a team, when the old season is over, you and I know it’s going to be Michigan again. Michigan!

 

September 20th, 2012 at 3:52 PM | Yeah, I would jump all over (Score:2)
WolvinLA2
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Yeah, I would jump all over the over in that game.  I have a feeling both teams will score a good amount of points in that game.  And I'd take Michigan, as well, of course.  Michigan wins, same score as AFA.

September 20th, 2012 at 3:04 PM | Hm (Score:4 Normal)
Lets_Go_Blue
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I can see Iowa losing to CMU. Outside of us crushing ND's hopes and dreams again, that's the only upset I see.

Football is both an identity and a terminal illness. A rhythm and a chaos and an opiate for the mind all at once.

     -Johnny Danbury (umichedme.blogspot.com)

September 20th, 2012 at 4:56 PM | I wish (Score:2 Normal)
Hengesbach
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as a current CMU student I wish this would happen, but I gotta tell you, this team is BAD..I know Iowa is no Michigan State, but if Central keeps it within a few TD's I'd be shocked..and thats with AIRBHG doing his damage

#HTTV

September 22nd, 2012 at 4:20 PM | (No subject) (Score:2)
Lets_Go_Blue
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Football is both an identity and a terminal illness. A rhythm and a chaos and an opiate for the mind all at once.

     -Johnny Danbury (umichedme.blogspot.com)

September 20th, 2012 at 3:09 PM | Well, Ron English has beaten (Score:2)
artds
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MGoPoints: 2790

Well, Ron English has beaten Dantonio before when he was D-Coord here, so...

Every time an MGoBoard poster complains about a thread topic, God kills a baby panda.

September 20th, 2012 at 3:10 PM | Hmm (Score:2)
Bronco648
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MGoPoints: 998

UTEP (+18) @ Wiscy seems like it might be interesting. Didn't UTEP give OU all they could handle on opening weekend?

Nobody home...

September 20th, 2012 at 3:11 PM | Got a Feeling (Score:5 Normal)
UM Indy
Joined: 03/05/2009
MGoPoints: 1401

The Gophers lose to the Orange. They can't stand prosperity.

"Better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football" -- John Heisman

September 20th, 2012 at 4:17 PM | I dunno (Score:1 Flamebait)
Blazefire
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We'll just have to see what they can do without Gray. Shortell was efficient closing the door on WMU last week, and I don't think Syracuse is any better than WMU this year. I see Minny with bowl eligibility this year, but they'll have to go 4-0 non conference to get it.

"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
September 20th, 2012 at 9:41 PM | They will have to get a (Score:1)
russale2012
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They will have to get a couple lucky breaks, but they could beat Illinois, and if Wisconsin keeps playing the way they do, I think Minnesota could beat them, too. It's a shame they don't play Indiana.



If they go 6-6 this year, that'll be huge for them.

It's been a lot. Its been a roller coaster that for some reason seemed like it would never get good. But you know what? We kept fighting. It's like that old saying goes, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." -David Molk

September 20th, 2012 at 3:20 PM | I predict that Minnesota (Score:5 Normal)
DIABEETUS
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I predict that Minnesota wins, but does not cover the spread.

Michigan: 903–315–36 (Best in NCAA)
vs Ohio State: 58-44-6
vs Notre Dame: 23-16-1
vs MSU:  68-32-5
vs B1G: 522-197-24
vs SEC:  20-8-1
vs PAC 12: 48-24-1
vs Big 12: 10-5-1<

September 20th, 2012 at 4:32 PM | So you are predicting an (Score:2)
Swang on These
Joined: 01/25/2012
MGoPoints: 176

So you are predicting an overtime win for Minnesota? Hey, it could happen

I apologize about the dress code, sir, but my next party is a hayride

September 20th, 2012 at 7:33 PM | That's not what happens to (Score:4 Normal)
Mr Miggle
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That's not what happens to your bet if it goes to OT.

Eating is murder.

September 20th, 2012 at 3:26 PM | All conferences are playing (Score:2)
WolverineHistorian
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All conferences are playing horrible schedules like that.  The problem with the Big Ten is that they have looked extra crappy playing the crap teams.

Minnesota is not beating Syracuse.  And Notre Dame will play their best game of the season so far against us I fear. 

Go Blue!  Always!

http://www.youtube.com/user/WolverineHistorian

September 20th, 2012 at 4:11 PM | Minnesota had a chance... (Score:1)
French West Indian
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...but with the Marqueis Gray injury, probably not so much.

September 20th, 2012 at 6:20 PM | Hard to see ND (Score:3 Normal)
Maize and Blue in OH
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Hard to see ND playing a better game than they did against MSU.

September 20th, 2012 at 3:32 PM | The easiest (Score:3 Normal)
MichiganMan2424
Joined: 03/09/2011
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The easiest pick to me is for UTEP to cover. I don't trust Wisconsin to even score 18, let alone win by that much

Practice makes perfect. Unless you're the Buckeyes. Then you have to cheat.

September 20th, 2012 at 3:41 PM | Sleeper Teams Or Simply Sleepy? (Score:2)
LSAClassOf2000
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I'll agree with others here regarding Minnesota - despite the 3-0 starts against air (although they needed 3OT to beat dry heat), more or less, this seems like a win for Syracuse, as they are coming off their 28-17 triumph over Stony Brook.

Temple always seems to play three decent quarters against Penn State before disappearing in a puff of, well, now Big East. Everything else save for our game against ND (which will undoubtedly be tough) seems like a win for the Big Ten. Wisconsin wins, but I don't know if an offense which has all the life of a mackerel with dropsy right now wins by 18.

 

"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."

Follow the random tweets of a Michigan alum - http://twitter.com/#!/LorneEC3

September 20th, 2012 at 3:43 PM | I thought the same thing about MSU covering... (Score:1 Normal)
justingoblue
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until I saw Eastern's defensive stats; Sparty should definitely cover.

Go Blue!

September 20th, 2012 at 3:41 PM | Another week where the B1G (Score:0 Offtopic)
September 20th, 2012 at 3:48 PM | Always bet on black. (Score:4 Normal)
DrueDown
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September 20th, 2012 at 3:56 PM | I'd take UM and the under.  (Score:2 Normal)
bronxblue
Joined: 11/22/2008
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I'd take UM and the under.  ND has struggled to score over 20 against even competent defenses, and UM's offense will struggle against ND's front 7.  21-17 seems right.

September 20th, 2012 at 4:27 PM | Well, MSU's defense is (Score:4 Normal)
WolvinLA2
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Well, MSU's defense is probably pretty good, and ND scored 20 on them.  I think Purdue's defense is at least solid, and they scored 20 on them.  They dropped 50 on Navy, yeah I know it's Navy but they scored 50 points.  

Their offense is not great, but it's decent, and our defense hasn't looked strong, so I bet ND scored in the mid-20s at least.  Their front 7 will contain our O to an extent, but their horrible secondary will also give up a handful of big plays, either runs that bust for more than they should or passes to the Devins that they can't defend.  I bet we also make it to the mid-20s, at least.  I wouldn't be surprised with a 28-24 final (either way) but I'm still sticking with my 31-25 final score, Michigan over ND.

September 20th, 2012 at 4:03 PM | Somehow... (Score:4 Normal)
Njia
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I will be quietly rooting for UTEP. Last year, BB was hailed as a football genius. This year, I badly want him exposed for the oaf he is.

"If life is the road, then Ohio is simply a place to stop for gas." -- Scott Burgess, Detroit News, 9/16/2010
September 20th, 2012 at 4:13 PM |   Quickchart (Score:2)
death by trident
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Joined: 08/31/2011
MGoPoints: 1036

 

Quickchart Matchup
 
 Michigan Off vs   Notre Dame Def
 425.3 yards
 288.7 yards
 5.6 yards/rush
 3 yards/rush
 9.1 yards/attempt
 5.7 yards/attempt
 
 Notre Dame Off vs   Michigan Def
 388.7 yards
 369 yards
 4 yards/rush
 4.3 yards/rush
 7.4 yards/attempt
 6.8 yards/attempt

 

AND

September 20th, 2012 at 4:20 PM | Should be good (Score:4 Normal)
Blazefire
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MGoPoints: 15742

Strength vs Strength / Weakness vs Weakness matchup. Makes for a closer contest on both sides of the ball.

I've got Gardner for a reception on the first and last Michigan offensive plays.

"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
September 20th, 2012 at 4:27 PM | Here's to Gardner extending (Score:2)
death by trident
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Here's to Gardner extending his TD streak at receiver to 4 games!

September 20th, 2012 at 4:50 PM | I'm not sure I agree with the (Score:4 Normal)
WolvinLA2
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I'm not sure I agree with the strength and weakness thing.  I would have said before the season started that our strength was running the ball and passing was a weakness, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.  

Denard has looked pretty good throwing the ball, even against Alabama, despite it being Alabama.  ND is not Alabama, especially in the secondary, and Devin is looking a lot better than he did against Alabama.  Our passing game against their pass D will be strength against weakness, I think.  

September 20th, 2012 at 4:20 PM | Penn State is in trouble, but probably not this weekend (Score:2)
markusr2007
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All I know is that Temple waxed Villanova, 41-10 one of the better FCS teams this year.

Then last week Temple lost to awful Maryland because they scored on a bomb pass play taking the lead too quickly  in the 4th quarter with 7:00 to play. They should run out the clock more.

But whenever I get to thinking a team like Temple just might beat Penn State (like I did last year), the evil spirit of Beano Cook appears to my mind and says something irritating, stupid but historically accurate: Temple hasn't beaten Penn State since WWII (1941).

Clearly this year Temple is the kind of team that plays well for 3 1/2 quarters, but then takes a nap for the last 10 minutes.

Congratulations Penn State. You're going to win on Saturday.

 

 

September 20th, 2012 at 4:45 PM | Series record in modern era (since 1978 game) (Score:2)
markusr2007
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MGoPoints: 3422

Historically this series has been very evenly matched.

Michigan leads 14-13-1, and has won 5 of the last 6 games.

Michigan is 9-5 at home vs. ND, but 5-8-1 in Notre Dame Stadium.

Last time Michigan played Notre Dame at night was 1982. Michigan lost 17-23. Wolverines went on to win the Big Ten championship and the Rose Bowl (8-4 season).

September 20th, 2012 at 4:49 PM | Michigan is 7-3-1 with senior QB vs Notre Dame (Score:2)
markusr2007
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But 3-2-1 AT Notre Dame with Senior QB...






Date   Opponent (record) Result Score UM QB
9/21/2012 @ Notre Dame ? ? ? ? Denard Robinson, Sr.
9/10/1994 @ Notre Dame (6-5-1) W 26 24 Todd Collins, Sr.
9/12/1992 @ Notre Dame (10-1-1) T 17 17 Elvis Grbac, Sr.
9/13/1986 @ Notre Dame (5-6) W 24 23 Jim Harbaugh, Sr.
9/18/1982 @ Notre Dame (6-4-1) L 17 23 Steve Smith, Sr.
9/20/1980 @ Notre Dame (9-2-1) L 27 29 John Wangler, Sr.
9/23/1978 @ Notre Dame (9-3) W 28 14 Rick Leach, Sr.

 

September 20th, 2012 at 9:55 PM | Steve Smith was a junior in (Score:2)
WolverineHistorian
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Steve Smith was a junior in 1982, not a senior.  His senior year, we didn't play Notre Dame. 

Go Blue!  Always!

http://www.youtube.com/user/WolverineHistorian

September 20th, 2012 at 4:47 PM | If Robinson can make smart (Score:1)
russale2012
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Joined: 11/30/2011
MGoPoints: 2664

If Robinson can make smart decisions with his passing game, there are the makings of a shootout in the ND game, and like always, it will come down to who holds the ball last. I like our odds with athletic freaks like Gardner and Funchess going up against a decimated ND secondary. I really think Gardner could have a breakout game on Saturday.

Defensively, it could be a long night, esp if the D-Line can't get any push. Not too worried about their receivers, but that running game could kill us.

Damn I miss Martin and Van Bergen.

 

It's been a lot. Its been a roller coaster that for some reason seemed like it would never get good. But you know what? We kept fighting. It's like that old saying goes, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." -David Molk

September 20th, 2012 at 4:51 PM | UM Senior QB success vs. Notre Dame all sites (Score:2)
markusr2007
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Joined: 10/21/2008
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Haven't checked which of these guys had birthdays on game day (Denard will on Saturday).

 






Date   Opponent (record) Result Score UM QB
9/21/2012 @ Notre Dame ? ? ? ? Denard Robinson, Sr.
9/15/2007 vs. Notre Dame (3-9) W 38 0 Chad Henne, Sr.
9/13/2003 vs. Notre Dame (5-7) W 38 0 John Navarre, Sr.
9/4/1999 vs. Notre Dame (5-7) W 26 22 Tom Brady, Sr.
9/27/1997 vs. Notre Dame (7-6) W 21 14 Brian Griese, Sr.
9/10/1994 @ Notre Dame (6-5-1) W 26 24 Todd Collins, Sr.
9/12/1992 @ Notre Dame (10-1-1) T 17 17 Elvis Grbac, Sr.
9/16/1989 vs. Notre Dame (12-1) L 19 24 Michael Taylor, Sr.
9/13/1986 @ Notre Dame (5-6) W 24 23 Jim Harbaugh, Sr.
9/18/1982 @ Notre Dame (6-4-1) L 17 23 Steve Smith, Sr.
9/20/1980 @ Notre Dame (9-2-1) L 27 29 John Wangler, Sr.
9/23/1978 @ Notre Dame (9-3) W 28 14 Rick Leach, Sr.

 

September 20th, 2012 at 5:05 PM | OK well obviously this means (Score:4 Normal)
WolvinLA2
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MGoPoints: 17705

OK well obviously this means we'll win 38-0 so I guess that means you should take the under.  

September 20th, 2012 at 5:09 PM | Good stats but i believe Ryan (Score:2 Normal)
GoBlueRandy
Joined: 06/13/2010
MGoPoints: 54

Good stats but i believe Ryan Mallett started and played the entire 2007 game in Ann Arbor.

"If you dont stop this guy, you have no chance"

September 20th, 2012 at 5:09 PM | Northwestern has a legitimate (Score:3 Normal)
UMgradMSUdad
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Joined: 07/02/2011
MGoPoints: 1958

Northwestern has a legitimate shot at starting the season 7-0.  Their next 4 games are

South Dakota

Indiana

@Penn State

@Minnesota

They should be favored in all of those.  Of course they might not win another game after their first 7, but if the above games are wins and they are able to beat one or both of Nebraska and Iowa at home, it should make their game at Michigan quite an interesting game.

September 20th, 2012 at 8:10 PM | Minnesota is going to get (Score:1 Normal)
Dreisbach Turne...
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Minnesota is going to get stomped.



Go Orange!

Syracuse '03, Michigan G'05

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