MGoBlog Bold/Not So Bold Predictions: Fact or Fiction

I'm going to go out on a limb and say five will not happen but it won't be because of Michigan. Somehow OSU is going to lose enough games so that when they come to Ann Arbor they will have to beat us to make it to the BTCG. Brady and team stay perfect at home and go onto the BTCG where I have no idea what will happen since I'm not sure of the other team.

1. Fiction - Braxton has the hype already, OSU will probably have a sterling record, and Gardner isn't going to be given a lot of chances to use his legs due to the depth chart.

2. Fiction - Gallon is the only proven WR, and I imagine Dileo will get plenty of time as a slot WR. Between Funchess and Dileo as the other non-Gallon options, I don't see a large number of passes heading out to Darboh and Chesson.

3. Fiction - Clark is really the only hope of a pass rush while Ryan is out, and I'd guess that he'll be the person the opposing teams try to neutralize up front. My guess for the top-5 in sacks in the conference are: Washington (OSU), Barnes (PSU), Kelly (UW), Scott (NW), and Hageman (Minnesota).

4. Fiction - Ross has an uphill battle against the likes of Borland, Shazier, Hull, Allen, Bullough, and Ariguzo. I think he's a better player than some of those guys, but remember that hype goes a long way, and there isn't much talk about Ross when it comes to the top linebackers in the conference right now, at least not from a national perspective.

5. Fact, but with caveats - I think we certainly have the talent and coaching to do it, but Gardner needs to stay healthy and we need Ryan back before November comes. We've got a tougher road than either Nebraska, MSU, or Northwestern have in that we have to play both OSU and PSU. We can't really afford to drop any intra-division games, especially to MSU or Nebraska, with those cupcake schedules they have.

1)Yes 2)No 3)Yes 4)No 5)Yes! I will do you one better both into The Game undefeated. They split the game and the B1G championship game and the entire world falls apart when the BCS championship game is between Alabama and tamu

1. Fiction.  BM is head and shoulders better than DG and has better weapons. And BM has all the hype.

2. Fact.  Hearing good things about those 2 and excited to see what they can bring

3. Fiction.  FC will be much inproved, but not by that much.

4. Fact.  B10 is farily weak in this position this year

5. Ficton. Sorry to say this guys, but we will be out of the B10 Championship game before we get to Ohio.  And we will likely lose the game Ohio as well.  Hoke has yet to really prove he can coach a a good game against a good/great team.

1. No

2. No

3. Hopefully

4. No

5. Please...I hope so...Go Blue!

 

1. By the end of the season, Devin Gardner will be considered NATIONALLY a better QB than Braxton Miller - FACT This should be a no-brainer, as Devin is going to put up solid numbers I think. Gardner passing for 3,000 to 4,000 Yards is not out of the question while providing almost 1000-rushing yards. This coming out of a well balanced attack should make those numbers that much more impressive.
2. Amarah Darboh and Jehu Chesson will finish the year with more catches (combined) than Jeremy Gallon and Drew Dileo - FICTION I still believe Gallon is Gardner's top weapon. I do think Darboh will be a pleasant surprise to the offense, but I think when it matters, Gallon's experience and know-how will come into play and size won't matter much.
3. Frank Clark will finish in the top 5 in the B1G in sacks(last year #5 was Kawann Short, Purdue, 7 sacks) - FICTION - I see Clark starting where he left off in 2012/Jan 2013. This guy blew off the line against ohio, albeit unblocked, and made sure to HIT braxton. I see him being a force on the D-line early, which is where I think he will command more attention, especially in terms of double teams, and that alone will make him miss the top 5. 
4. James Ross will be a 1st-Team All-B1G player - FACT - This kid is incredible. Coming in I didn't think he would realistically see the field until this season on the two-deep. I honestly thought RJS had more initial impact as a True Freshmen than Ross- boy was I wrong, and thankfully so. Ross has turned into a perfect LB product for Hoke and Mattison's packages. He's big and quick[er than I thought] as well as having a nose for the ball. 
5. Michigan and Ohio will play consecutive weekends("The Game and B1G Championship Game) - [this should be] FACT I, for one, would love this just because it's the last time it can possibly happen.  Not to mention IF we can beat them BACK-to-BACK weeks in ne season, we can end the 8 of the last 9 talk. It gives Michigan [technically] 3 of the last 12, or if we speak like ohians, 3 of the last 4. That would be change I would welcome easily.  

1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes
4. Unknown
5. Yes

1. By the end of the season, Devin Gardner will be considered NATIONALLY a better QB than Braxton Miller - FALSE.  Say what you will about Urban Meyer's character, the guy can coach QB's.  Miller will have a huge year against mostly pathetic competition, and, while I agree that DG will actually be the better pro-style QB, Miller's college numbers will be gaudy and ESPN will be on his nuts so he'll get the national attention.  The NFL, however, will consider DG the better prospect, and he will be drafted higher (hopefully in 2015).
2. Amarah Darboh and Jehu Chesson will finish the year with more catches (combined) than Jeremy Gallon and Drew Dileo - FALSE.  Gallon will have 60+ catches, and Chesson and Darboh will combine for 50ish.  Dileo will NOT be our #2 in terms of receptions; expect more like 15-20 from him.  ALSO, this nonsense of Darboh and Chesson having more yards is silly.  Gallon is absolutely a homerun threat, and he proved it last year.  He will average close to 16 yds/rec.
3. Frank Clark will finish in the top 5 in the B1G in sacks(last year #5 was Kawann Short, Purdue, 7 sacks) - TRUE.  And if this isn't true, we're in trouble.  Yes, we rotate DEs, but we have the best players in for the most important downs, and that's when sacks often happen.  If we aren't getting production from our WDE starter, we're in trouble.  Do I think Mario and Taco will produce some?  Yes, but maybe 5 sacks between them, and a few of those in trash time.
4. James Ross will be a 1st-Team All-B1G player - FALSE.  First of all, as jtmc noted, these votes will go to juniors and seniors more often than not.  At LB, there won't be a huge disparity in stats among the top 5 or 6 guys, so the players coaches already know that have been playing longer will get more 1st-Team votes.  Also, it will be JR's first year starting.  I see him as a 2nd-Team or HM.  1st-Team in 2014.
5. Michigan and Ohio will play consecutive weekends("The Game and B1G Championship Game) - TOSS-UP.  Ask me again after Notre Dame.  If I had to answer now, I'd say FALSE.  There are too many question marks for us and Nebraska's schedule sets them up to make the B1G game even if we beat them.  If, however, we can block the Notre Dame D-line and get a decent pass rush from our front-four in that game, I will whole-heartedly switch my prediction to TRUE.

1. No, sorry. Braxton has a cooler name and the momentum.

2. Nope. Gallon is still Michigan's leading receiver next year.

3. Sure, I could see that.

4. No.

5. Yes, this is the year. And we spatter them both times.

1. True-ish; Devin will be viewed as a better thrower and receive more praise for his NFL potential, but Braxton will be more productive this year.  Combine his skills, team success, and the hype train and he will likely be making a trip to New York in December.

2. False; Gallon > Darboh + Dileo > Chesson

3. False; I believe with Mattison's blitz schemes we're going to need to get used to seeing sacks be spread around more.  Though I do believe our line will provide more pressure than last year.

4. False; Won't get the votes with some of the other returning LBs in conference

5. True

1. Fiction -- There is so much hype around Miller and his team will likely be in the MNC discussion all season. Perceptions will not change that easily...and it's quite possible that Miller will actually be better than Devin.

2. Fiction -- One of Darboh/Chesson will get a decent number of receptions (30-35) but the other will be a little used reserve and only get 10-12 catches. Gallon will get 45+ by himself and Dileo will add another 12-15.

3. Fiction -- I'll believe the hype AFTER I see it on the field. He had 2 sacks last season.

4. Fiction -- I think Ross will be pretty darned good but I think he won't be any higher than 2nd team All B1G.

5. Fictions -- Ugh. Another year without a B1G championship. I think Nebraska wins the Legends with their soft conference schedule.

Its that time of year. I'll bite: -I'll say no, but he's certainly got the potential. Right now, Miller has got all the love and hype surrounding his team. But I will say, though, that at seasons end I think Devin will be considered a better pro prospect than Braxton. Devin has the plus of playing in a pro-style system, and I think he's a bit taller and has a slightly better arm. -No. Gallon will be Gardner's go-to, and while I think Darboh will have plenty of catches, I think Chesson will see more time as a role player until next year. I have no basis for that, but just a gut feeling. -No. He certainly might, but right now its all hype coming out of camp, and Mattison loves to rotate his D-linemen anyway. If the hype is true, then yes he will. But I have to see it to believe it. -Tough to say, considering that Shazier and Bullough are nearly destined for the other two spots. If he doesn't, he'll be a close second-teamer with a prime chance to be first team in 2014. So I say no, but he's a prime candidate for first team status next year, maybe All-American depending on how much he progresses. -Yes. I think we beat OSU at home, with a berth in the BTCG over Nebraska on the line, ruin OSU's chance at the title game if someone hasn't tripped them up already, and keep the home winning streak alive. But, we lose a close one in Indy. It'll be tight all the way throughout, but OSU sneaks out with a win on a game winning FG.

1. Devin Garnder will be the best dual-threat QB in the nation. 2 Derrick Green will win the starting job before Big Ten play and rush for 1,000 yards plus. 3. Jeremy Gallon will be our best WR. 4.The O-Line will be better than last year. 5. The defense will be the best in the Big Ten!!!