The never too early 2013 College Football Top 25

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January 8th, 2013 at 3:40 PM
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robbyt003
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The never too early 2013 College Football Top 25

LINK

1. Alabama - Big surprise

2. Oregon

3. Stanford

4. Ohio State

12. Notre Dame

18. Wisconsin

20. Nebraska

22. Northwestern

23. Michigan

The Wolverines are hoping they'll make the same improvement other recent teams have made in their coach's third season. Michigan went 8-5 in coach Brady Hoke's second season and never really seemed to recover from its 41-14 loss to Alabama in the opener. The good news is juniorDevin Gardner got some experience at quarterback after Denard Robinson was injured midway through the season. Gardner went 3-2 as a starter, completing 59 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns in the five games he played under center. The Wolverines might have to replace four starting offensive linemen if junior left tackle Taylor Lewan leaves for the NFL draft. Six starters are coming back on defense, but they'll miss cornerback J.T. Floyd and safety Jordan Kovacs. Michigan's schedule won't be easy in 2013, with games at Penn State, Michigan State and Northwestern and home games against Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State.

“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing” - Bo Schembechler

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January 8th, 2013 at 3:44 PM | Under-Rated! (Score:5 Normal)
mGrowOld
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Under-Rated!

 

 

January 8th, 2013 at 4:06 PM | until we prove it on the (Score:2 Normal)
JT4104
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MGoPoints: 1928

until we prove it on the field against a team with a pulse on the road......we're right where we should be if not lower

January 8th, 2013 at 4:17 PM | Well, couldn't you say the (Score:5 Normal)
FreddieMercuryHayes
Joined: 12/29/2010
MGoPoints: 4884

Well, couldn't you say the same thing about Ohio?  Hell, really any team in the B1G?  I guess they had a close win over a decent UW team on the road.  And doesn't it matter that the most 'decent' teams we played on the road were all in the top-10 and three in top-5 at the end of the season?  I mean, I know what you're saying, but I really do believe this team is a much better team than than #23 next year.  A lot of that is based on our decent efficency stats and the underperformace against predicted success with those same stats, and some of it is just the eyeball test. 

If Denard doesn't go down against Neb when we're outgaining them, do you think we win that game?  Maybe, and I'll go as far as to say probably.  If Denard doesn't melt down against ND, do you think we win that game?  Maybe, and I'll go as far as to say probably.  If Borges doesn't go batshit crazy after leading at half against Ohio, do we win that game?  Maybe.  Just maybe that time.  The point is that we didn't get run out of any stadium the entire year except Alabama. 

Sometimes I feel the eye test is a little under-used.  Sure 'finding a way to win' is a very important and admirable aspect of a team, and is totally neccsary to winning championships.  But basing everything on 'just finding a way to win' over more than one or two games means you end up with a number 1 ranked team that has no place actually being number 1 and results in a terrible national title game.  Long story short, I think we should be higher.  Not that it matters much because I think we will be higher by end of the 2013 season.

January 9th, 2013 at 1:03 AM | You can't argue that OSU (Score:0 Overrated)
January 8th, 2013 at 3:47 PM | For next year I would rather (Score:5 Normal)
Michiganfootball13
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For next year I would rather start at 23 rather than too high, maybe our guys can come out with a chip on their shoulder and give them some motivation for the offseason (if they even need any)

Lloyd Brady is my homeboy...for real he is!

January 8th, 2013 at 3:47 PM | ya not sure that games at (Score:5 Normal)
Arizona Blue
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ya not sure that games at Penn State (true freshman quarter back and impact of graduation) and at Michigan State constitute as tought games...

the supreme head butt

January 8th, 2013 at 4:15 PM | Well considering it took a (Score:3 Normal)
michfan6060
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Well considering it took a last second FG to beat MSU at home this year, I'd say it will probably be a challenge.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

- Vince Lombardi

January 8th, 2013 at 4:22 PM | MSU loses a lot on defense (Score:5 Normal)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28961

MSU loses a lot on defense (including possibly its DC) and the centerpiece of its offense (Bell), though.

January 8th, 2013 at 4:26 PM | My Not So Bold Prediction - (Score:5 Normal)
robbyt003
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My Not So Bold Prediction - MSU is going to be turrible next year.

“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing” - Bo Schembechler

January 9th, 2013 at 10:24 AM | We lose 3 starters on (Score:1)
GoBlogSparty
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We lose 3 starters on defense.

Your friendly neighborhood Sparty

January 8th, 2013 at 4:40 PM | Their best offensive lineman (Score:3 Normal)
BigBlue02
Joined: 06/29/2009
MGoPoints: 1853

Their best offensive lineman is gone off a poor offensive line, their workhorse RB and only back to get carries this year left early for the draft, their only consistent receiving threat left early for the draft, they benched their redshirt junior QB in the bowl game for a redshirt freshman who barely had more passing yards than said RB that left early, and they are bringing back the worst offensive coordinator in the B10. I would not be surprised if they get shut out in at least 4 games next year.

January 8th, 2013 at 5:34 PM | I don't think we will lose, (Score:1)
michfan6060
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I don't think we will lose, but I don't think it will be easy. They are still going to have a stout defense and their offense was horrendous this year and we barely squeaked it out at home. Also we lose basically our entire oline and our only proven rushing threat. I wouldn't be surprised to see another 12-10 type of game.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

- Vince Lombardi

January 8th, 2013 at 6:11 PM | Worst OC in the B1G? (Score:1)
cm2010
Joined: 07/19/2010
MGoPoints: 211

GERG Davis says hello.

January 8th, 2013 at 3:49 PM | If next year (Score:3 Normal)
nmumike
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is a tough schedule, what was this year's schedule for them?

I think we end up higher than 23...

"It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing."

"The world is given to me only once..."

January 8th, 2013 at 4:45 PM | another thread indicated that 2012 ... (Score:3 Normal)
Indiana Blue
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MGoPoints: 1521

was the toughest schedule ever for Michigan in school history (based on opponents record)  something like 100 - 66.  We played 4 teams that won over 10 games ....

Go Blue!

No place on earth I'd rather be on a football Saturday than Michigan Stadium !

January 8th, 2013 at 3:50 PM | We're starting in the Perfect (Score:2 Normal)
Sideline
Joined: 12/09/2009
MGoPoints: 184

We're starting in the Perfect Spot... Albeit unsure if it's well deserved. The schedule is C+ compared to this year's A/A-... We could run the OOC with resistance on the ND game only.

Entering the Conference we should handle with the way our team is developing. I'm so excited to see next year's defense. Especially assuming Countess bounces back fine... Next year should be our 2012 ND year!

January 8th, 2013 at 3:51 PM | Handle well, with the way our (Score:0 Overrated)
January 8th, 2013 at 4:18 PM | Not sure 2012 ND year is what (Score:4 Normal)
SFBlue
Joined: 11/02/2009
MGoPoints: 3115

Not sure 2012 ND year is what we want to aspire towards. 

Missing Ann Arbor

January 8th, 2013 at 4:42 PM | Yeah, I'd rather be Stanford (Score:4 Normal)
Logan88
Joined: 01/05/2009
MGoPoints: 2906

Yeah, I'd rather be Stanford 2012: Win the conference, win the Rose Bowl. Nice.

We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!

January 8th, 2013 at 5:07 PM | Agreed. I would rather win (Score:3 Normal)
FrankMurphy
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Agreed. I would rather win the Rose Bowl than get thrust into a national championship game against a team that we have no business being on the same field as. And since we haven't won the Big Ten Championship in almost 10 years, let's focus on the attainable. 

January 8th, 2013 at 5:25 PM | Strange (Score:1)
Ron Utah
Joined: 02/28/2012
MGoPoints: 485

I thought when you capitalized "Perfect Spot" that it was referring to somewhere on a girl's...nevermind.

I think the schedule is much more than a C+; NW will be a tough game next year at their place, Sparty will make life difficult before losing, and Penn State away is a real challenge.  Ohio, ND, and Nebraska are very good teams that will threaten Hoke's unblemished Big House record.

I think this year's schedule was an A, next season's is a B+.

And I do believe we should probably be ranked closer to #15, but we have to prove it.

Thank you, Coach Hoke, for bringing Michigan back.

January 8th, 2013 at 3:50 PM | For once, Michigan is (Score:5 Normal)
Zone Left
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For once, Michigan is seriously underrated. We lost to three of the top four teams in the country, and could have won two without stretching anyone's imagination.

9-10 wins is pretty likely, which translates to about 6-15 depending on the timing of losses. OSU and ND are going to be strong. Nebraska might be good. Everyone else on Michigan's schedule has serious problems. Michigan needs to replace a lot of lineman, but given the pedigree of the replacements and underperformance of non-Lewan lineman, I'm optimistic about at least a push in performance. Subtract Alabama, and we're already at 9 wins.

It's all John Navarre's fault.

 

January 8th, 2013 at 5:02 PM | I don't get the Nebraska (Score:4 Insightful)
saveferris
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I don't get the Nebraska concerns.  What changes are they going to incorporate over the offseason to keep their defense from hemorraging points?  Myself, I am much more worried about a stumble on the road at Northwestern next season than the Huskers at home.

 

"...what do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"

"Fix the cigarette lighter."

January 8th, 2013 at 7:22 PM | I understand, but they're (Score:2)
Zone Left
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I understand, but Nebraska is still the third or fourth best team in the conference. Taylor Martinez will be a senior and they rounded into form really well until the Wisconsin game.

Northwestern has a really nice thing going, but they always are one or two bounces away from things going pretty wrong for them. They never have great depth.

 

It's all John Navarre's fault.

 

January 8th, 2013 at 3:51 PM | Not surprising, in my (Score:3 Normal)
GoBlueInNYC
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Not surprising, in my opinion. Michigan didn't really beat anyone of note. They lost to 5 tough teams (or 4 plus Nebraska), but they didn't really beat anyone of note. "Good losses" don't really mean a whole lot if there are no good wins in the mix, either.

I think they'll finish higher than 23 next season, but Michigan has earned a reputation for mediocrity that's going to take a while to turn around.

I am this close to going all Dark Blue in here.

January 8th, 2013 at 4:47 PM | Northwestern was a good win, (Score:5 Normal)
SFBlue
Joined: 11/02/2009
MGoPoints: 3115

Northwestern was a good win, or a win against a good team.  N'W went 2-0 against the SEC, beating two SEC bowl teams.  Of course, it's too early to say how good Michigan will be next year.  Swinging another recruit or two, especially a tailback, could impact things.

Missing Ann Arbor

January 9th, 2013 at 12:20 PM | That's kind of my point. (Score:2)
GoBlueInNYC
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That's kind of my point. Michigan's lone "good win" was beating a 10-3 NW team in OT at home. NW was good, but Michigan's season was decidedly not great.

I am this close to going all Dark Blue in here.

January 8th, 2013 at 3:52 PM | Ugh... (Score:-1 Normal)
January 8th, 2013 at 3:54 PM | Until we beat a quality (Score:2 Normal)
NFG
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Until we beat a quality opponent, I'd rather see us not ranked or at #23. We need to prove our worth.

January 8th, 2013 at 4:06 PM | Really went out on a limb there (Score:3 Normal)
bluetell
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only changes were adding TCU and USC which are easy bets. That's basically just the end of season top 25

Rudy watches inspirational movies about Shawn Hunwick

 

January 8th, 2013 at 4:10 PM | I'm surprised with the (Score:2)
bklein09
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I'm surprised with the Wisconsin ranking. They lost 5 games this year too or 6? And only made the Rose because of I eligible teams.

I also think ND will end up lower than that. But I understand the ranking based on this season.

Those Who Stay...

January 8th, 2013 at 5:12 PM | I, too, was surprised by the (Score:2)
Logan88
Joined: 01/05/2009
MGoPoints: 2906

I, too, was surprised by the ranking for Wisconsin. They didn't exactly light the world on fire this season and will have a new coaching staff next year. I admit that I have no idea what their schedule is like for 2013 -- knowing Wisconsin the non-conference schedule will be an absolute joke, though.

EDIT: Well, I actually went ahead and read the article at the link and now I see why they have Wisco so high: they do not play Michigan, Michigan State or Nebraska next season. So, they play N'Western, Iowa and Minnesota from the Legends along with playing in the craptastic Leaders division. So, yeah, I can see a "rebound" year in the cards for Wisconsin given the lousy schedule they will be facing; 10 wins seems pretty likely given that sh*tty schedule.

We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!

January 8th, 2013 at 4:20 PM | Speaking of Lewan, when is he (Score:2)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28961

Speaking of Lewan, when is he planning to make his announcement?  I assume he's gone, but am a little surprised he hasn't said so yet.

January 8th, 2013 at 5:05 PM | Maybe* he's carefully (Score:2)
saveferris
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Maybe* he's carefully considering the pros and cons of not staying in Ann Arbor for one more season.  Let's face it, this winter at Crisler is shaping up to be loads of fun, maybe he doesn't want to miss it.

* OK, not really maybe, because he's probably gone....

 

"...what do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"

"Fix the cigarette lighter."

January 8th, 2013 at 5:23 PM | Lewan (Score:3 Normal)
EGD
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Seriously--what if he gets drafted by a team in some city with a revolting walkability index?  You can't ride a twosie in Indianapolis.

"You will suffer humiliation when the team from my area defeats the team from your area." -- The Onion

January 8th, 2013 at 4:20 PM | Our schedule is relatively (Score:2)
swan flu
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Our schedule is relatively easy next year, top 15 finish for sure

Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!

January 8th, 2013 at 4:21 PM | Rankings (Score:5 Normal)
EGD
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MGoPoints: 1864

This list seems more like a knee-jerk response to this year's bowl season than an honest attempt at evaluating teams' 2013 prospects. I bet if UM had pulled it out against South Carolina, we'd be around 15 on this list (and so would they).

"You will suffer humiliation when the team from my area defeats the team from your area." -- The Onion

January 8th, 2013 at 4:25 PM | Three things:1. Underrated (Score:1 Normal)
turtleboy
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Three things:

1. Underrated as always, we should be over Wisconsin with their new coach, and losing Ball.

2. A&M should be rated over Stanford, actually quite a few teams should be rated over Stanford, but A&M has Johnny Football. plus wtf did Texas do to get rated #11? They should be in the low 20s.

3.Our schedule will be easy next year, at least significantly easier than if was this year. No Bama, 2 bye weeks, and our toughest opponents at home? Do want.

How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon

January 8th, 2013 at 5:08 PM | Everyone is bearish on A&M (Score:3 Normal)
saveferris
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Everyone is bearish on A&M because a good chunk of their OL graduates and I don't think they're sitting on Alabama level depth in College Station.  Johnny Football may find it tough sledding next season with more dudes in his face.

 

"...what do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"

"Fix the cigarette lighter."

January 8th, 2013 at 4:22 PM | Preseason Polls (Score:5 Normal)
Lazer with a Z
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Joined: 07/13/2011
MGoPoints: 251

Preseason polls are worthless. Just ask USC fans. This one is particularly worthless considering the timing. Alot can happen between now and September. 

Strive to win. If you lose....win. 

January 8th, 2013 at 4:24 PM | Thanks, ESPN, for sentences (Score:5 Normal)
turd ferguson
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Thanks, ESPN, for sentences like these:

After playing in three consecutive BCS bowl games and winning the Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio this season, ...

The Fighting Irish were probably a year ahead of schedule in reaching Monday night's Discover BCS National Championship.

I hate ESPN so much.

January 8th, 2013 at 4:27 PM | It's time for some (Score:5 Normal)
Lazer with a Z
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MGoPoints: 251

It's time for some competition. I feel dirty watching ESPN at this point, but there is nothing else. ESPN has essentially resigned itself to being a sports tabloid. 

Strive to win. If you lose....win. 

January 8th, 2013 at 4:36 PM | Back in the day, I really (Score:1 Overrated)
NFG
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MGoPoints: 2136

Back in the day, I really enjoyed the CNNSI channel before that got canned. NBCsports Network is putting some quality stuff out there, and will only get better now that hockey will be starting back up.

January 8th, 2013 at 4:51 PM | Agreed. (Score:3 Normal)
Lazer with a Z
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MGoPoints: 251

I was excited when that channel was launched. They just need to get in there and get some other contracts. Not that I'm complaining that they show hockey, even though I feel like they don't show enough games. 

Strive to win. If you lose....win. 

January 8th, 2013 at 4:57 PM | I think fsn is the only (Score:3 Normal)
swan flu
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MGoPoints: 1113

I think fsn is the only station with the infrastructure to compete. It's be cool to see the big ten and BTN, and the pac10 partner with them and shun espn.

Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!

January 8th, 2013 at 4:50 PM | ESPN/Gatorade (Score:4 Normal)
ST3
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MGoPoints: 2186

and with the amount of time they spent showing the Gatorade bath for Saban, I wouldn't be surprised if they had a contract with Gatorade. Seriously, who cares about the Gatorade bath anymore?

January 8th, 2013 at 4:54 PM | Using Available Ratings To Wager A Guess... (Score:2)
LSAClassOf2000
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MGoPoints: 8711

As early as this poll is, if we played the 2013 season right now and just used the available predictor numbers, there would be six games where were are favored by ten or more points (Central Michigan, Akron, UConn, Minnesota, Indiana and Iowa) and two more where we would be favored by less than ten (Nebraska, Ohio State). In addition, there are three games that (Penn State, MSU, Northwestern), based on way-to-early predictors, would essentially be "pick 'em" games where were are favored (or not) by less than a point. The only game where we would be a decided underdog would be ND given the ratings right now. Granted, it's not exactly kosher to apply present data to future events like this, but it is what we have.

 In other words, available data would predict eight "lean wins" right now, three toss-ups and one "lean loss" essentially. We don't really have much to go on, and it is hard to take a preseason poll put out less than a day after the previous season's finale all that seriously, but based on ratings that exist now, we would probably be underrated at #23 with the 2013 schedule (and applying the 2012 data of those teams), as some have mentioned.

"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

January 8th, 2013 at 4:59 PM | 23 is my lucky number (Score:3 Normal)
Engin77
Joined: 07/02/2008
MGoPoints: 2095

starting in that position in the poll is fine by me.

Taking it one week at a time

January 8th, 2013 at 4:59 PM | Offseason attrition (Score:3 Normal)
EGD
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MGoPoints: 1864

Another thing to consider is that Michigan appears less vulnerable to offseason attrition this year than any other year in recent memory.  We have much more depth than we're used to having, our coaching staff is stable, we only have one player likely to declare for the draft, and we don't seem to have as many key guys with legal issues, academic problems, transition issues, etc.  Obviosuly you can never really predict what will happen when you're dealing with a pool of 85+ college kids, but this off-season I think the odds are good that other teams will be weakened by attrition a lot more than we will.

"You will suffer humiliation when the team from my area defeats the team from your area." -- The Onion

January 8th, 2013 at 5:16 PM | The beauty of being Michigan (Score:1)
dahblue
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MGoPoints: 1468

The beauty of being Michigan is that none of this matters.  Win the games; play for the Roses (or glass football/whatever).

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