Michigan on College Football Live

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

I know that most are aware the College Football Live featured Michigan today.

There were some REALLY good pieces done on the team, I came away very impressed.

Typically this is 100% fluff, and don't get me wrong, there's no "inside info," but it's definitely worth watching.

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up because they normally replay CFB Live on ESPNU quite a bit. I'd recommend everyone DVR.

Also, I was hoping MGoVideo could somehow pull the show so folks could watch on here.

We give ESPN a lot of crap (and deservedly so), but they did a solid job displaying Michigan Football today.

denardogasm

April 17th, 2013 at 9:29 PM ^

Two things bothered me about the show. The first was the graphic they put up about our RB production last year that listed Justin Hayes as one of our RBs. The second was the way they basically assumed Ohio would walk all over the conference including us. I think Palmer said something like, "I see Michigan losing to ND under the lights because without Ryan they'll have trouble stopping the Irish offense (lolwut), to an improving Northwestern team in Evanston, and of course Ohio State." You think the entire Crimson Tide transferred to Ohip or something. Worst undefeated team ever last year? I though so.

Mr. Yost

April 17th, 2013 at 9:39 PM ^

...I guess I missed that comment.

I don't expect everyone to think we're world beaters (although I honestly have us in the National Championship game), but I think it's funny that Palmer thinks we're going to lose at home to ND when we've never lost at home under Hoke. We've also handled ND as of late and game them the game last year, I don't see them winning in Ann Arbor this year.

The only regular season loss I could potentially see is Ohio, and if we lose to them, we'll win the rematch in Indianapolis the following weekend.

MGoStrength

April 17th, 2013 at 10:47 PM ^

In all fairness, if you're Palmer, and not a Michigan homer like us, on paper I can see how he'd think ND and OSU beats us.  I mean, both teams beat us last year, both finished with higher records and rankings, and I'd assume both are ranked above us to begin next year.  So, although sure I can see that both games will be very close and could certainly make a case for why Michigan would win, it's not a surprise that an unbiased expert would pick OSU and ND over Michigan.  They will be the favorites I'd assume.  But, Palmer also noted if OSU is going to win the B1G he thinks they'll have to beat us twice, which means he probably thinks we beat Neb, NW, and MSU...or at least 2/3.

Blazefire

April 17th, 2013 at 11:19 PM ^

It's not that he picked ND and OSU to win. That's fine. He's analyst. It's when he says things like, "And of course Ohio State." Like it's not even in question. We're toast. It'll be a curb stomp. THAT's the problem.

wolverine1987

April 18th, 2013 at 7:18 AM ^

So what if he thinks it'll be a curb stomp? He's entitled to that opinion, that has nothing to do with whether or not he's doing "research" (like a poster above you said) or if he's he's any good. 

We are going to see a lot of this during the pre-season. Look, last year's OSU season was impressive. Meyer, despite the fact that I and most people outside OSU don't like him, is an outstanding coach. And their recuiting in his first year was terrific. And then there is our record against them the lat 10 years to think about. These are all facts. So if you're looking at it from the outside, do you really blame someone for having the opinion that they are better and will win?

grumbler

April 18th, 2013 at 8:36 AM ^

The fact that you have to explain why you think Ohio will win demonstrates how absurd it is that someone who is supposed to be an analyst would note that "of course" OSU will beat  Michigan this year.

If that win would simply be a matter of course, then it doesn't need explanations or anaysis.  I think palmer is wrong.  I think that a victory by either team would be anything but a matter of "of course."  

wolverine1987

April 18th, 2013 at 9:19 AM ^

Nowhere. I simply said that there are many real reasons why an outsider would predict Ohio to win. Man. I said his opinion that it will happen is his to have, and it is not without foundation--even if I disagree. The fact that you or someone marked my post as trolling says way more about them than my very moderate opinion.

Mr. Yost

April 18th, 2013 at 8:40 AM ^

I can certainly see how and why you did, and because he's paid to speak...I have no sympathy if he didn't mean it the way it came across.

I took it as him saying "and of course you have the Ohio State game." Hyping it up as a big rivalry, and of course since we're at Michigan you have to talk about the Ohio game.

I took it as a "last but not least" rather than a slight against Michigan. I'm not sure he'd intentionally do that after he was kissing Michigan's ass for most of the show, he's sitting in Glick, and mostly Michigan fans are going to be watching.

But again, that's just how I saw it...but either way he should've made sure it was clear.

MGoStrength

April 18th, 2013 at 9:10 AM ^

The fact is we have only beaten them once in like 9 years and that was with an interim head coach.  We haven't beaten Meyer yet.  I can see national media people basically thinking it was an outlier because of a lack of a proven head coach.  Granted, we haven't lost at home yet either, but this will be our first home game against Meyer.  

 

I think this game will do a lot towards the ebb and flow of this rivalry and the media perspective.  If we beat Meyer, are 1/1 against him, and have defended our home field twice in a row now, then you can see national media starting to pick us to win or at least considering it a back and forth series.  But, if we lose at home and for a second year in a row consider us OSUs bitch in their minds until we can beat them more consistently.  

In reply to by DirkMcGurk

MGoStrength

April 17th, 2013 at 10:50 PM ^

I like hearing Palmer's insights.  I think the volume of interesting reserach, statistics, etc. that we get here on the blog are interesting.  But, that doesn't mean people want to hear about that stuff on TV.  I'd much rather hear Palmer's thoughts about the skills he sees with his eyes based on his experience than I would a bunch of research and statistics.  It's entertainment not education.

Mr. Yost

April 17th, 2013 at 9:34 PM ^

Also, here's the schedule for those interested.

Saturday

08/31/13
Chippewas Central Michigan Chippewas

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday

09/07/13
Fighting Irish Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday

09/14/13
Zips Akron Zips

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday

09/21/13
Huskies at Connecticut Huskies

Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT
Saturday

09/28/13
--- Open Date
Saturday

10/05/13
Gophers Minnesota Golden Gophers

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday

10/12/13
Nittany Lions at Penn State Nittany Lions

Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Saturday

10/19/13
Hoosiers Indiana Hoosiers

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday

10/26/13
--- Open Date
Saturday

11/02/13
Spartans at Michigan State Spartans

Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
Saturday

11/09/13
Cornhuskers Nebraska Cornhuskers

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday

11/16/13
Wildcats at Northwestern Wildcats

Ryan Field, Evanston, IL
Saturday

11/23/13
Hawkeyes at Iowa Hawkeyes

Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
Saturday

11/30/13
Buckeyes Ohio State Buckeyes

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday

12/07/13
Big Ten Big Ten Championship Game

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

One thing I didn't realize was the BYE week on 10/26. That is perfect for Jake Ryan! We should handle Minnesota, PSU and Indiana. Then we get a bye before our "gauntlet."

I love this. He's projected to be healthy by mid-October, that gives him 2 weeks (a fall camp) to get game ready before we take on MSU. Hopefully we can test him in a limited role vs. IU, get a weekend off to adjust and be 100% full go vs. Sparty.

DonAZ

April 18th, 2013 at 12:09 AM ^

"He's projected to be healthy by mid-October"

I recall Hoke talking about this ... but was he indicating it's likely, or just possible?

I was under the impression Hoke was expressing more what was possible.  But then again, he rarely sets false expectations, so maybe he's operating on solid information.

Mr. Yost

April 18th, 2013 at 8:43 AM ^

We won't need him until the MSU game, IMO. Those 3 games in mid-October are very winable without Ryan. Those are 3 pretty bad teams, we should handle each. Then you have a Bye at the perfect time.

So really if he's ready by mid-October, or even early-October...he's got some time before we really need him to be 100%.

I wouldn't push it at all when you see our schedule. Like I said, I may give him a series or two vs. IU just to get the timing/gameday feel going. But I wouldn't be full bore until the MSU game in November.

MGoVoice

April 18th, 2013 at 8:45 AM ^

but just can't wrap my head around the fact that JMFR will have been 7-7 1/2 months removed from the ACL tear if he's to come back for the MSU game.  I want to be optimistic about his return, but certainly don't want to get my hopes up either.

Ron Utah

April 18th, 2013 at 12:20 PM ^

Could be a real challenge.  O'Brien is a decent coach, and PSU has always been tough at their place.  That said, I do believe we win that game.  Here are my way-too-early and over-simplistic odds for each game, with a brief explanation:

  • CMU - 99/1.  I don't think you should ever assume certain victory.  See App State.  That said, we will crush CMU, and if I were going to use a graphical representation of our odds there would be an asymptote at 100%.
  • ND - 60/40.  This is no gimme.  ND returns some serious firepower, is well-coached, and will be hungry to prove that 2012 was no fluke (even though it was).  But they're coming to the Big House, and we really should have handled them last year.  This game will be a very good early test for our interior O-line.
  • Akron Zips - 99.99/1.  See CMU.  The Zips are probably worse than the Chippewas.
  • at UConn - 97/3.  On the road, nothing is certain.  That said, this once proud program no longer appears to be on the upswing and has probably settled into a role as a third tier team in the FBS.
  • Minnesota - 95/5.  The conference opens against an opponent that I expect will be a bigger thorn in our side in the future...when we play in Minnesota.  Last year's game ended as a rout, but was competitive early.  Minny is improving and will cause trouble in the future B1G West.
  • PSU - 67/33.  On the road against a program with nothing to lose.  This is a trap game.  O'Brien can coach, and if Michigan doesn't show-up ready--think late-Carr era inconsistency--then this will be a fight.
  • Indiana - 90/10.  The Hoosiers are definitely on the rise.  They return 19(!) starters. Playing in Michigan stadium, I'm not worried about this game, but our defense better be prepared.  That said, I don't see how they could stop our offense.
  • at MSU - 55/45.  I believe we'll be favored to win this game.  I believe we'll win it.  But MSU returns a suffocating defense and if they can get their passing game on track at all, this away game could be our first loss.
  • Nebraska - 65/35.  Despite winning the Legends division last year, Nebraska has been the forgotten team this off-season.  Martinez has improved as a passer, and Ameer Abdullah has given us more trouble than Burkhead ever did.  With a stable of experienced WRs, the only thing holding this team back is their defense.  Oh, and the fact that we don't lose at home.
  • at NW - 55/45.  We pulled off a miracle to beat these guys at home last year.  The thing is, I think our defense is going to be much tougher for an option team to work against this year.  NW returns eight starters on offense, seven on defense (and a bunch of guys with ample experience), and both their K and P.  Fitzgerald wants this one badly.
  • at Iowa - 70/30.  Returning 14 starters from last year's team might not be an advantage.  But at Iowa?  That game always seems to give us more trouble than it should, and you know the Hawkeyes will bring a nasty O-line and physical running game that will probably test us more than it should.
  • Ohio - 51/49.  In what is undoubtedly our toughest game, we play the Braxton Millers.  Meyer has made a career out of coaching the top running QBs in the country, and this game should live-up to its tradition.  We have the edge because we're at home, but only by the slimmest of margins.

Yes, I believe we have a better chance of winning than losing in all of our games.  But add all of those close calls together and we're likely to stumble a couple of times.  That ND game will be a great barometer for us, and we finish the season with a brutal five game stretch.  I'd put the over/under on losses at two.

Mr. Yost

April 17th, 2013 at 9:56 PM ^

Maybe 11-1. But again, I think if we lose to Ohio in the finale, we beat them a week later. They'll forever brag about winning "The Game" and we'll brag about winning the B1G Championship. This situation is going to play out multiple times if they don't wise up and put us in the same division.

It'll be considered being a homer, but I said 8-4 last year.

I just don't see the L's.

ND will be tough, but it's at home and I just think we're the better team. I think we're finally blessed from the scheduling gods by getting our byes when we do. We get our non-conference, a breather, 3 "should-be-easy-B1G-wins," a breather, the fight for the the B1G championship.

MSU isn't going to be much better, their days are numbered, I've said that for awhile. They capitalized on Rich Rod not recruiting the midwest as much, the transition to the spread and the Ohio violations/sanctions. All of that has passed, I feel like MSU is going to go right back where they were...7-5/8-4.

Nebraska's at home and we handled them 2 years ago and would've won last year if not for the incident that will not be mentioned.

N'Western is actually my wildcard. They ALWAYS play us tough and its on the road. Is Kain Coulter back...again? If so, they could be a problem.

Then I have Ohio as a 50/50 toss up. I say we win cause we're at home, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if that's an L. But for the last time, if it is, we adjust and beat them in a rematch.

I'm not sure if we have a GREAT team, but I see a road to the National Championship. I see us having a season very much like Notre Dame did last year. Hopefully we don't get destroyed in the NC game like they did.

Perkis-Size Me

April 17th, 2013 at 10:32 PM ^

I don't see us going undefeated, just from the standpoint that we have a lot of talent, but its unproven. Wideouts, interior line, running back, they all have a lot of talent, but are just unproven right now. But on top of that, its just really hard to go undefeated. 2014 could be the year. But I think we'll trip up once or twice.



However, unlike last year, there are no games on the schedule that I'd immediately write off as a loss (Alabama), so I could very well be wrong. I hope I'm wrong.



Notre Dame, right now, I put up as a win. Their offense really does not scare me at all, they've lost T'eo, and their secondary is garbage. It'll be close, as the game always is, and the O-Line will still be gelling together, but like always, this will be a win that propels us for the rest of the season.



MSU will be a tough defensive battle for sure. But their offense sucks something fierce, and they've lost their only playmakers in Sims and Bell. Burbridge could be good, but they have no one to throw to him. I see a 17-6 kind of game.



Northwestern is a toss-up. Would not be shocked to lose this one. A 10 win team that returns everyone. A few plays away from an 11-12 win season as well. If their defense improves, especially their secondary, we could very well lose this game.



I've seen nothing to suggest to me that Nebraska is actually a good team. Just a very lucky one that always gets exposed in 1-2 games a year. Pressure Martinez enough and he'll make poor decisions. He was held to 23 points when our defense was on the field for 75-80% of the game last year. Their defense sucks and they're replacing everyone on it anyway. Worst case scenarios: we win in a shoot out. More likely, we win by 2-3 touchdowns. Gardner goes all-world on the Blackshirts.



Ohio State is a toss-up. This is where I'm praying that the line has gelled enough to where we can just pound Green and Fitz up the middle all game. The best way you can beat Braxton Miller is keeping him off the field. That man will get his yards next year, especially if he's even slightly improved his passing game. It will be a back and forth game, and probably one of the best versions of The Game we've seen since '06, but I like to give the edge to the home team. Ruin Ohio State's chance at a national title in the last week of the season, then face them again the next week.

Mr. Yost

April 17th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^

I'm sure there are a lot of people, Michigan fans included, who disagree. I can't blame you, there's nothing that says we're for sure going to be in contention for an undefeated season. I just feel like the schedule finally suits us.

After the Ohio game, N'Western scares me the most. Then ND, then Nebraska/MSU.

MGoStrength

April 17th, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^

I think this year's schedule is so hard to predict because we will have so many close games. We really have the potential to have a 0-1 loss season if all goes well, but if all goes south I can see us with 5 losses too.  How do you predict ND?  I think they will be better this year getting that secondary back and with another year of experience for Golston, then again you'd have to assume we will be better too.  But, I tihnk we'll have trouble running the ball against that front.  

 

I think a lot of people are overlooking MSU.  Their defense is gonna be really good.  They are all back and we couldn't move the ball last year.  If they stay healthy they will have a better offensive line, a year more experience at QB and WR.  I think that is a tough game.  Nebraska I can easily see giving us fits to defend, especially without a healthy Ryan.  But, we should be able to move the ball on them.  And, in regards to OSU I actually think people are giving them too much credit.  I think ND will be better than OSU.  It will still be a close game and we may have to play them twice, but they have some holes.  We do need to keep Miller in front of us which will be no easy task and we will need to be able to run with Smith and Brown.  Miller missed them a bunch last year, but they had us beat on a number of routes and if Miller starts getting accurate that could be trouble for us.  In addition, we actually have to bring down Hyde, which worries me because he's bigger than our linebackers.  But, if our offensive line can get our run game going we should be able to put some points up too.  These games could just go either way.   Personaly I think 9-3 seems reasonable, but it could go 2 games in either direction.  It really seems to hinge on if our interior offensive line and our running backs can be effective.

RedGreene

April 18th, 2013 at 7:46 AM ^

"Their defense is gonna be really good.  They are all back and we couldn't move the ball last year."

They lost about 5 pretty good players on the defense.

MGoStrength

April 18th, 2013 at 9:24 AM ^

They bring back Rush, Allen, Bullough, Lewis, Dennard...all pretty quality guys.  The only guys I can think of they lose is Gholston, Adams, and a big d-tackle who wasn't that good.  I guess they lose Norman too now that I think of it, but I think Jones will be an upgrade there.  Do you not think they will be a good defense or are you just arguing the semantics of saying they are all back?

Wolverine15

April 17th, 2013 at 11:28 PM ^

Is a non delusional Spartan who thinks they'll be lucky to win six this year. They'll always play Michigan tough under Dantonio but at a certain point (around now), the talent gap will become too great for MSU to win with any regularity.

And EL was not a hard place to win last year, what with tickets going for the price of a burrito and even lowly Iowa scraping out a win there.

Tater

April 18th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ^

No matter who wins or loses, Michigan is always beaten up after playing Sparty, because MSU plays it like it's their Super Bowl, and they play dirty.  I can't see Michigan playing well against Nebraska the week after Sparty.

The main problem I see, though, is that Michigan hasn't yet proven that they can stop the spread offense when it is played by a team with elite personnel.  That makes ND and Ohio even more important.  Not only are they rivalry games, but they are also possible "tipping points" either way for Michigan vs a spread offense.   

Ohio State is favored by many to win the Naitonal Championship this year.  I am hoping that Michigan proves them wrong, but the schedule makers, as usual, certainly didn't do Michigan any favors.

I predict 9-3, but hope I am wrong.

Perkis-Size Me

April 17th, 2013 at 10:03 PM ^

I honestly stopped giving a shit about this when I saw Jesse Palmer was involved. He immediately writ us off for the Ohio State game in his predictions and essentially spoke like the game was already won.



But I thought the guy had zero insight into college football before this anyway.

LSAClassOf2000

April 17th, 2013 at 10:14 PM ^

"Anywhere you go in the world, everyone knows Michigan," defensive end Frank Clark said. "Anywhere in the nation, as far as college football, everyone knows Michigan. For the last couple years, we haven't lived up to those expectations. This next season, we have to."

The "mystique" piece is mostly fluff, but it does actually reinforce something that is extremely important to the success of Michigan (and any program really) at the end of the day, and that is everyone seems to be on the same page when it comes to the aspirations and goals of the program. Similar statements to Clark's have been made in interviews with other players, but the fact that the expectations are well-understood and have become part of the culture of the program can only yield excellent things, I believe. Part of that past to which the article refers involved the team-oriented culture and uniformity of message that Hoke has brought back, and it is definitely yielding great results. 

 

gwkrlghl

April 17th, 2013 at 10:16 PM ^

I saw one of the talking heads on ESPN just give OSU the game in Ann Arbor too to complete another undefeated season. I do not understand why they are so sure of that.

1) Ohio State had better watch out for their semi-annual beatdown by Purdue

2) We're going to be a lot better than people give us credit for. JMFR is sweet, but he's not going to cripple the defense by being out. Plus, Devin Gardner is the QB Borges has wanted and he's going to have a good year. We're going to end up being the favored team when Ohio comes to town

Mr. Yost

April 17th, 2013 at 11:51 PM ^

So I've gone through each team in the B1G's schedule and figured I'd make my predictions.

If nothing else, this gives me a way to "document" it and look back in November.

B1G - Legends

---------------------

Michigan: 12-1 (7-1) - B1G Winner/National Championship Game (Rose Bowl)

Northwestern: 10-2 (6-2) - Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

Nebraska: 9-3 (6-2) - Outback Bowl

Michigan St.: 8-4 (5-3) - Gator Bowl

Minnesota: 5-7 (1-7)

Iowa: 4-8 (1-7)

 

B1G - Leaders

--------------------

Ohio: 10-3 (6-2) - B1G Loser/Rose Bowl*

Wisconsin: 10-2 (6-2) - Capital One Bowl*

Penn St: 6-6 (3-5) - n/a

Indiana: 6-6 (3-5) - Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl

Illinois: 4-8 (2-6)

Purdue: 3-9 (2-6)

*If Ohio loses to Michigan in the B1G Championship Game they might get bumped to the Captial One Bowl and Wisconsin moves up, I'm not sure how that works, plus At-Large bids, etc.

 

Rankings:

  1. Michigan
  2. Ohio
  3. Northwestern
  4. Nebraska
  5. Wisconsin
  6. Michigan St.
  7. Penn St.
  8. Indiana
  9. Illinois
  10. Purdue
  11. Minnesota
  12. Iowa

*I going to give Michigan 1 regular season loss either vs. Ohio or @ N'Western. I think Iowa is better than Minnesota, but I have them losing a non-conference game and I have faith Minny doesn't lose against a FCS...again



 

RadioMuse

April 18th, 2013 at 12:15 AM ^

Only a few months ago I would've said that it was probably going to be a 8.5 win season (lets call it 9), and as long as those are the right nine that we'll be getting tickets to Indy...  Now a lot of the puzzle pieces are coming together to bridge the gap between "if we get lucky, this could be great" and "controlling ALL THE CONTROLLABLES".

Our D-line is coming together and looks to have the ability to disrupt and rush the passer more than last year and it looks like everything else will be approximately as good (though we'll probably miss Kovacs a couples times). This defense could very well be the complete package, with the linebackers and rush end taking on starring roles Mattison intended.

The offense was of greater concern to me...  Devin and Gallon are obviously proven commotities but the rest of the recieves, the RBs and the line seemed shaken up. Now, with what we've seen in the spring game, the recievers (along with the tight ends) should be fine to excellent. Maybe we don't have a proper deep threat yet (Chesson will get there) but we should be able to consistantly move the chains through the air.  The O-line was (and still is, to a much lesser extent) scaring me. With Taylor Lewan coming back I'm mostly passified in that department.  And finally we have Derrick Green and De'veon Smith coming in, Toussaint returning from injury, and Norfleet looking like someone who'll juke you out of your shoes...  The run blocking still needs some work, but I still see us cruising against the majority of our schedule even in the run game.

In some of the bigger games they might be able to force us into the air, but I can only see that going well given Devin's performance thus far and his scambling ability...

The schedule looks pretty soft too...  I'm thinking 10-2 with the coin flips @Northwestern, @Iowa (I don't know why, please got proove me wrong...  I don't want to punch another hole in the drywall like I did in '11), and against Ohio. Everyone else just doesn't shake me....

Mr. Yost

April 18th, 2013 at 3:19 PM ^

Okay, this is my last prediction in this thread.

#1 Louisville (undefeated w/ a cake walk schedule)

#2 Michigan (12-1 with a close loss)

Alabama loses at Texas A&M who wins the West Division in a tie-breaker (head-to-head) with Bama. This knocks Bama from the SEC Title Game and they finish 3rd in the standings as pollsters vote them down because they don't win their conference.

TAMU goes on and loses to a multi-loss Florida or Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

Michigan, by the narrowest of margins beats Bama for the #2 spot and the right to pay L'ville. Many pundits will say Michigan should play Bama, but because L'ville starts the season so high (due to last year's success) they get to #1 and never look back. Others will say Bama should play L'ville because...well, the SEC. Anyway, Michigan with its convincing win over highly ranked Ohio in the B1G Championship Game earns the right to play the Cardinals.

SEC fans riot.

Michigan gets revenge on L'Ville for basketball and wins its 12th National Championship.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Good day everyone.

MGoNukeE

April 18th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^

Despite Jake Ryan's injury, I have confidence that the defense will be similar to last year, which I would take in a heartbeat. However, Michigan is starting a whole new interior line, and all of its run-game production just graduated. Gardner looked excellent against Minnesota and Iowa but looked like a first-year starter against OSU and South Carolina (wish Brian would do those UFRs to gain a little more insight on those games). His receivers are very serviceable, though I wish we had more size on the outside that we can count on in the starting lineup (would like to see Funchess or Darboh break out more in their roles).

Against this schedule, Michigan has 5 gimmes, 3 favored games, 2 coinflips, and 2 underdog games in my opinion. 9-3 seems to be reasonable until some question marks start to answer themselves.