Michigan 13 point dog to Bama

I don't see us staying close in this game, but  I hope I'm wrong.  

13 seems like too much.  i bet the line moves to about 10.  i wonder whether the casinos consider this a defacto home game for the tide because they're so much closer.

Play calling. Are we going to run it into the box with 8-9 tide there or be creative?
You can book those options right now.
It's on Borges.

I was going to type:

"I see a very close win OR we get run over...so I guess 13 falls somewhere in the middle."

But then I realized that such comments add nothing to this thread and I don't know anything more than pretty much anyone else on this Ides of February.

So, never mind. 

Edit:  I typed and entered before I saw the above Redondo post...this is not a response to that.

I'm thinking we lose by 10 or so but it's not as close as the score indicates.  With Richardson and Maze gone, it's not like they're an explosive offense who will hang a bunch on us, but I also see them essentially shutting us down.  

At first I was giving us no shot at all and would agree with the line, but after seeing just how many players Bama is losing I'm a bit more optimistic.

If Denard doesn't turn the ball over once, we win...  If he throws those prayers in the air, we lose.  Not having a Hemingway type receiver will hurt this year

I want to hear jamiemac's take.  And I'm too lazy to check his blog to see if he has anything up yet

This is probably the most difficult game on the schedule with OSU a close second.  If we win, it could be a very special season.  

a good ball and limit the turnovers, I think we have a chance, not a good one, but a chance.  This holds true for most games...if Denard's arm is a threat they can't stack the box on us, which opens up room for Denard and Fitz.

I'm sure Big Al is scheming from now until then, as well.

I see this game being a very close affair, sort of like Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in an "Affair to Remember". Distant at first, but by the end, you won't be able to fit a nickle between them. 

Yeah, Alabama had an American Film course, what of it?

I will say, I expect Michigan to lose.

However, if Michigan should win, it would do incredible things. Among others,

• It would cement Hoke's reputation and tenure as Michigan coach. To beat Ohio the first year, and the reigning national champion in your second, would be incredible.
• It would greatly further Denard's career, and could open the door to a Heisman. If he should be able to run against Alabama's defense, and pass, that would open the eyes of voters around the country.
• It would bode well for both Borges, and Mattison. They are great coordinators now. This would give them credibility beyond the Big 10. To have beaten Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, and then Alabama, would mean they planned very well.
• It would help with recruiting. Right now, many of the best players in the country look to Alabama, and Auburn, and USC, and Ohio. We are getting our share, but were helped tremendously by the strong classes in Michigan and Ohio with the 2012 signing day. If we beat Alabama, this would open the eyes of many potential recruits far beyond our regular geographic reach.

Honestly, this game is really set to benefit Michigan tremendously. If we lose, well, it's expected. If we win, it helps us in so many ways. This is a very high risk - reward game. Who gets the credit for scheduling Alabama? IIRC, it would be one David Brandon. If so, this is working out brilliantly for Michigan. We get a huge payday, great exposure, and if we win, rewards that far exceed the risk. I understand that Brandon can be blamed for many things. In this case, he should receive huge credit.

I'd love to see the odds stay this high, and even get worse, and then see Michigan pull the trap of doom on Alabama. This will be such a hard season, and game, to wait for. Argh.

I want to believe that we'll win this game. I really do.

I think this line is a little high and will drop to 10 like some others have suggested come kickoff. I can't wait for this game and although Bama is clearly better then us but  since Bama lost so much on defense I am hoping this will hurt them in the beginning of the season. They clearly have a bunch of young talent on defense, but hopefully these guys have some nerves in the first game of the season. Denard is going to have to have the game of his life. He is going to have to have a game very similar to the OSU game this year or the ND game 2 years ago where he had 502 total yards for us to have a chance. Also, I am a little concerned with how Fitz will do against a defense as physical as Bama's and idk if our receivers will get separation against Bama's corners.

Although the Bama offense isn't that explosive, I am still worried how our D is going to go against their offense. Despite losing Richardson, they still have eddie lacy who is a very good back and dee hart is expected to be a key contributor in their offense. I am always worried about our secondary and even though Bama loses Maze Duron Carter is eligible this coming year and could have a big impact at receiver for Bama.

  I think if we do everything right, no turnovers, play to our strengths and Denard has a excellent game it will be close and might even get a win.

  Now if I can just get my hands on some tickets when they go on sale since I am stationed 2.5 hrs away...

greatest move by Brandon? Would Hoke have welcomed it behind the scenes? Do recruiting benefits materialize if we lose by two TDs? Not that that's a foregone conclusion--maybe Denard dances rings of fire around them, but. 

A year hence, yes. . .