Phil Steele has UM ranked #22

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May 24th, 2012 at 3:14 PM
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unWavering
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Joined: 01/13/2011
MGoPoints: 1768
Phil Steele has UM ranked #22

Link here.

I personally think it's a little low, especially when you consider that he has ND at #21.  Notable:

 

Pointing downward are the fact that 
they benefitted from 3 net close wins, were +7 in TO's, had 
beneficial off (12.2) and def (18.5) ypp's and my Stock Market 
Indicator (pg 27) has them -5.0. This is an improved tm that 
probably won't match LY's 11 win total with gms away from 
home vs Alabama, ND, Neb and Ohio St but unlike LY, they 
could find themselves in the B10 Title game
 
Not much here that everyone doesn't already know, and he mostly just regurgitates game stats and results from 2011.  As with any pre-season ranking, take this with a massive grain of salt and always remember that he predicted this for us last season.
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May 24th, 2012 at 3:17 PM | If Phil Steele was so smart, (Score:5 Normal)
Silly Goose
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Joined: 04/17/2010
MGoPoints: 573

If Phil Steele was so smart, he would have a website that didn't cause seizures.

Ghosts are scary.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:28 PM | That was like trying to read (Score:5 Normal)
dothepose
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Joined: 12/30/2008
MGoPoints: 4270

That was like trying to read some of our commits tweets.

You know, Dude, I myself dabbled in pacifism once. Not in 'Nam of course.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:52 PM | At least he upgraded from Comic Sans (Score:1)
lilpenny1316
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Joined: 11/19/2009
MGoPoints: 2728

He's slowly improving.

May 24th, 2012 at 7:42 PM | I don't understand why his (Score:2)
snarling wolverine
Joined: 12/14/2011
MGoPoints: 4841

I don't understand why his 2012 preview for us is full of references to 2007, '08 and '09.  He even mentions the 2006 D at one point.  This year's freshmen were in middle school when that team played.

May 24th, 2012 at 7:55 PM | yeah (Score:2 Normal)
snowcrash
Joined: 07/22/2008
MGoPoints: 1586

The performance of past teams on which none of the current players had significant roles may mean something if the same coaching regime is in place, but not if you have an entirely new coaching staff running a completely different system.

May 25th, 2012 at 12:52 PM | "Entirely new coaching staff?" (Score:2)
Mtruck
Joined: 09/21/2010
MGoPoints: 108

Fred Jackson says, "hello."

May 24th, 2012 at 3:17 PM | There is nothing nobody can (Score:5 Normal)
jg2112
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Joined: 11/25/2008
MGoPoints: 5844

There is nothing nobody can do but regurgitate game stats and results from 2011. At this point, there's nothing to argue or even discuss.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:21 PM | There are lots of things to (Score:1)
david from wyoming
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Joined: 03/15/2009
MGoPoints: 2847

There are lots of things to discuss, like which Rush album is the best and why!

Are you a park ranger at Yellowstone? Say hi to Yogi Bear for me. - the_big_house 500th

I may not be a 70 year old man. - Herm

May 24th, 2012 at 3:34 PM | You mean "which Rush album (Score:3 Normal)
CRISPed in the DIAG
CRISPed in the DIAG's picture
Joined: 11/08/2010
MGoPoints: 547

You mean "which Rush album not called Moving Pictures is the best and why."  Now, discuss.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:09 PM | I'll bite. Top 5 non-Moving (Score:2)
jg2112
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Joined: 11/25/2008
MGoPoints: 5844

I'll bite. Top 5 non-Moving Pictures Rush albums: 1 - 2112 2 - Hemispheres 3 - Permanent Waves 4 - A Farewell to Kings 5 - Counterparts (barely edging Signals)

May 24th, 2012 at 4:37 PM | 2112 is a classic (Score:1 Normal)
aratman
Joined: 10/02/2010
MGoPoints: 267

I believe it might be better than Moving Pictures....

May 24th, 2012 at 5:25 PM | My screenname agrees with (Score:2)
jg2112
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Joined: 11/25/2008
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My screenname agrees with you.

May 24th, 2012 at 5:34 PM | Exit Stage Left (Score:1)
ST3
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Joined: 09/11/2010
MGoPoints: 2188

Granted, it was a live album, but I wore out Exit Stage Left.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:22 PM | Just like last year (Score:3 Normal)
MGoKereton
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Joined: 01/21/2010
MGoPoints: 1040

Phil Steele is a clown

Lived the Dream. 2008-2012

May 24th, 2012 at 3:23 PM | Obviously ND is ranked too (Score:5 Interesting)
WolvinLA2
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Joined: 11/13/2009
MGoPoints: 18039

Obviously ND is ranked too high - it's the preseason. There's a law about this or something.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:43 PM | Yes (Score:5 Normal)
El Tigre
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Joined: 03/14/2011
MGoPoints: 554

It is the Returning To Glory Act of 1988.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:05 PM | No... Its the Reshtunung Tosh (Score:2)
maizedandconfused
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Joined: 01/14/2010
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No...

Its the Reshtunung Tosh Ghlorys Shact *LouHoltzVoicespit

On the fifth night—possibly the sixth—a breeze arose.
It was cool and dewy.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:06 PM | Yes, it is (Score:2)
alanmfrench
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Joined: 06/23/2010
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a law. "Like water or dinosaurs!" - Taco

“Well, I was this close to bringing a sinner to Jesus, and now he is consigned to eternal damnation. I hope that you’re happy.” - Boyd Crowder, Justified

May 24th, 2012 at 3:24 PM | Maybe I'm missing something (Score:3 Normal)
RakeFight
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Joined: 02/21/2012
MGoPoints: 1391

Maybe I'm missing something in the 4 point font with no spacing between lines, but if you click on his AP top #25 projection, he has Michigan as #8.  Is the #22 really a ranking?  

May 24th, 2012 at 3:29 PM | It's not made explicitly (Score:3 Normal)
unWavering
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Joined: 01/13/2011
MGoPoints: 1768

It's not made explicitly clear, but I think the #8 ranking is his projection of where we will be ranked by the AP in preseason, and #22 is his actual ranking for us.

EDIT:  It IS made explicitly clear:

"I will mention it now and I will mention it numerous times throughout today’s blog but this is NOT MY preseason Top 24 for next year, it is where I project the AP Top 24 to come out at the start of the season."

May 24th, 2012 at 3:41 PM | Ooops... yeah, ok, I see it (Score:3 Normal)
RakeFight
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Joined: 02/21/2012
MGoPoints: 1391

Ooops... yeah, ok, I see it now.  I think the first time I missed it because I was trying to find the hidden picture of a clown in the dense text by letting my eyes just go out of focus.  

May 24th, 2012 at 3:24 PM | Eh.  Seems fair to me.  I (Score:5 Normal)
FreddieMercuryHayes
Joined: 12/29/2010
MGoPoints: 4991

Eh.  Seems fair to me.  I think that's probably about where we'll be ranked by the end of the season.  Our schedule is tough man.

May 24th, 2012 at 5:19 PM | I never understood why (Score:2)
orobs
Joined: 10/03/2010
MGoPoints: 1734

I never understood why schedule is factored into rankings.  Playing alabama doesn't make michigan a worse team.  Losing to them would hurt them, but that hasn't happened at the time of these PRESEASON polls

May 24th, 2012 at 6:07 PM | True. Seems a flawed line of (Score:1)
redhousewolverine
Joined: 08/17/2010
MGoPoints: 822

True. Seems a flawed line of thinking. Preseason polls are an attempt to measure how good a team is, but also order how good people think these teams are without have objective evidence, such as losses. Everyone eyeballs the teams says these guys are this good and then those preseason rankings factor heavily into end season rankings and bowl matchups. Thus, you could say that Steele is saying that he projects Michigan to be the 22nd best team in the country when all is said and done, and this evaluation is based on his projecting how Michigan will handle the hurdles of their tough shedule. It's all semantics really, but it depends on how you view the preseason rankings: as purely preseason based or as substantive evaluations for how good these teams will be when all is said and done. Personally, I think preseason rankings are stupid, but hey, I just blog and bitch about them.

"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:24 PM | The number 21 filed papers... (Score:5 Normal)
ChiBlueBoy
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Joined: 10/11/2011
MGoPoints: 584

It's suing for defamation. 21 is known for such things as being able to drink in all 50 states and being a winning hand in blackjack. To be associated with 2012 ND is an insult that will not be easily overlooked.

Combined with Phil's (questionable) Preseason All-B1G rankings, I'm thinking he needs to spend some more time: (i) scouting the Midwest; and (ii) getting a font that doesn't make my eyes bleed.

"Mattison must break you. Jake Ryan is his tool."

May 24th, 2012 at 3:31 PM | A bit low, for me. (Score:5 Normal)
Daniel
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Joined: 11/26/2011
MGoPoints: 507

Also, can anyone explain why he designed his site as an homage to Geocities?

Formerly 'mgoblaniel.'

May 24th, 2012 at 3:35 PM | Wow, I had completely (Score:1)
StateStreet
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Joined: 02/21/2012
MGoPoints: 71

Wow, I had completely forgotten about Geocities. Your assessment is spot on, however.

May 24th, 2012 at 6:38 PM | curiosity piqued (Score:2)
Bombadil
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Joined: 01/22/2011
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I just went to Geocites.com but it's closed. I wonder when they open, comeon Yahoo!.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:32 PM | This is the same genius who (Score:3 Normal)
Wolverine Devotee
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MGoPoints: 5601

This is the same genius who had Michigan going 6-6 and playing toledo in the pizza bowl last year.

Nice pick, Phil. Don't go into putting money on your prections. 

May 24th, 2012 at 4:25 PM | I don't think many people (Score:3 Normal)
Voltron
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Joined: 03/08/2010
MGoPoints: 844

I don't think many people were calling 11-2 and a Sugar Bowl win last year... In fact I'm pretty optimistic and I was thinking I'd be ecstatic with 8-4. These rankings don't matter. We were ranked # 4 back when we lost our first game to they-who-must-not-be-named. So don't get all wound up about this stuff, he's just doing his job by giving his opinion.

May 24th, 2012 at 7:33 PM | But the point is, he was (Score:3 Normal)
snarling wolverine
Joined: 12/14/2011
MGoPoints: 4841

But the point is, he was wrong.  That "everyone else did it" doesn't change that.  To pick a team to go 6-6 and then have it go 11-2 is horrendous for a guy who does this for a living.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:32 PM | preseason rankings, blah blah (Score:1 Normal)
robbyt003
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Joined: 10/25/2010
MGoPoints: 2625

preseason rankings, blah blah blah, phil steele, blah blah blah

both are pointless

“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

May 24th, 2012 at 3:34 PM | Athlon Sports (Score:2)
DonAZ
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Joined: 12/05/2011
MGoPoints: 699

I'm watching the countdown of their pre-season top 25 ... they're down to #8 and no Michigan.

Either Michigan is lower than #25 in their eye or #7 or better.

Their reviews are pretty boilerplate ... but they have a link to a picture slide-show of each school's cheerleaders.  So it's cool.

Midwestern born and raised ... now living in the heat of the Arizona desert

May 24th, 2012 at 3:38 PM | He loses his credibility when (Score:2 Normal)
ThadMattasagoblin
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Joined: 08/24/2011
MGoPoints: 2773

He loses his credibility when he has Notre Dame ahead of us.

903 wins most in college football

May 24th, 2012 at 3:44 PM | Ahead Of Ohio (Score:1)
raleighwood
Joined: 11/26/2008
MGoPoints: 1036

It looks like Phil has jumped on Brady's bandwagon and has listed the Buckeyes at # 31.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:46 PM | #22 isn't ridiculous but if I (Score:1)
JohnnyV123
Joined: 04/08/2011
MGoPoints: 376

#22 isn't ridiculous but if I was looking objectively I'd put us in the early teens and we probably will deserve to be top 5 if we only lose to Alabama.

I think the schedule looks more daunting than it is with Notre Dame and Michigan State on it but both have fallen back a bit losing major contributors (Michael Floyd, Jerel Worthy, Kork Coupons, Tommy Rees?) including their QBs but we will see.

Alabama is going to be excellent this year but there's a chance we can take advantage of a young defense early on. Of course, that's just a chance and we are still very likely to lose. But still I like our chances better in the first game of the year opposed to the last.

Nebraska returns a lot of key players but we crushed them last year so I'm less worried about that one.

Ohio State should be very good and there's a high chance we'll slip up somewhere we don't expect but just like I feel we could finish with 3 or 4 losses if a lot of things go wrong I also feel this team has a chance to go undefeated if everything works out perfectly.

Unlikely, yes, but not completely unreasonable.

-Eternal guardian of the Prevent (you from winning) Defense

May 24th, 2012 at 4:26 PM | How You Look At It (Score:1)
raleighwood
Joined: 11/26/2008
MGoPoints: 1036

I think that it all depends on how you look at it.  In my mind, the ranking should be based on how many teams are better than (and how many teams are worse than) the given team.  It shouldn't be based on your schedule or where you think a team will end up in January.

Since Michigan was a borderline Top 10 team at the end of last season, and they should experience something of an upgrade this year (2nd year under coaching staff, most of the offense returns....), then Michigan should be in roughly the same range now.  Do you really think that 21 teams are better than Michigan?  I don't.

Now Michigan might slide down the rankings and end up at # 22 if they lose to Alabama, Notre Dame, a couple of B1G teams.....but until that happens, they should probably be ranked in the 10-14 range.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:09 PM | Phil Steele sounds like a (Score:5 Normal)
Schembo
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Joined: 01/06/2011
MGoPoints: 944

Phil Steele sounds like a porn name and that website reminds me of one of those cheap t-shirt stores in Mackinac City.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:06 PM | How massive is massive? Is this good? (Score:1)
brooktrail
Joined: 05/31/2011
MGoPoints: 452

I think the more underrated the team is (for now), the better. It is probably not a good thing to be ranked too high until the end of the season.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:13 PM | Those are either some massive grains of salt. (Score:4 Normal)
Daniel
Daniel's picture
Joined: 11/26/2011
MGoPoints: 507

or some huge tracts of land.

Formerly 'mgoblaniel.'

May 24th, 2012 at 4:43 PM | +1 (Score:3 Normal)
ChiBlueBoy
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Joined: 10/11/2011
MGoPoints: 584

...for Monty Python reference.

"Mattison must break you. Jake Ryan is his tool."

May 24th, 2012 at 5:18 PM | UP in the winter. Those are (Score:3 Normal)
UPMichigan
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Joined: 01/09/2010
MGoPoints: 158

UP in the winter. Those are the tipis we live in. That's a pretty good-sized community too.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:49 PM | Bolivian Marching Powder? (Score:2)
MadMonkey
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Joined: 04/08/2010
MGoPoints: 1723

snnnniffffffffffffffffff.

Your opinion has no value.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:22 PM | Seems a bit low, we seem like (Score:1)
WMUgoblue
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Joined: 12/06/2009
MGoPoints: 3181

Seems a bit low, we seem like belong in the mid to high teens at least.

Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:32 PM | phil steele still counts? i (Score:1)
JT4104
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Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 1946

phil steele still counts? i wrote him off when i heard him on wtka back in 2009 saying we would lose by 14+ at home to his domers.

May 24th, 2012 at 4:48 PM | Went To The Site... (Score:3 Normal)
LSAClassOf2000
LSAClassOf2000's picture
Joined: 01/07/2011
MGoPoints: 8947

....and I was disappointed as there was no pop-up ad which asked me if I wanted my free credit report for only $29.95.

That being said, after clicking numerous links and remembering that I still had an active Excite page which I should probably take down at long last, I will say  that I had to zoom up to about 200% before I could read the stats page, and that was with my glasses ON. 

I guess saying that we may not match last year's record (which is possible, but I imagine we are within a game of it either way) and then predicting the possibility of playing in the conference championship game make #22 seem like a somewhat low number. 

"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

May 24th, 2012 at 9:06 PM | You're trying to make too (Score:3 Normal)
SysMark
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Joined: 11/15/2008
MGoPoints: 5568

You're trying to make too much sense out of what he wrote - the idea is just to dump out some garbage for the off-season football starved fans to soak up.

Man that is one cheesy looking website.

May 24th, 2012 at 9:47 PM | Quite Agree (Score:2)
LSAClassOf2000
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Joined: 01/07/2011
MGoPoints: 8947

In the end, I must say that Phil Steele generally makes me think of Ed Glosser ("Trivial Psychic") for some reason.

..

"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

May 24th, 2012 at 5:06 PM | I'm sorry but I cannot take a (Score:3 Normal)
htownwolverine
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Joined: 09/02/2009
MGoPoints: 3369

I'm sorry but I cannot take a guy seriously when he produces that garbage of a website. I know that should not affect his prognosticating but JHC frames, html 3.0, varying fonts and text colors in the same frame??????? How can I trust his formulas or should I treat him like a mad scientist?. Maybe he is just a really cheap bastard? He could buy a template for $100 bucks that would look better than that crap.

As far as his #22 pick screw him and all the people running scared of UM vs. Alabama. We win the first game 16-14 and go on to a 11-1 regular season.

Who is Jon Falk?
May 24th, 2012 at 6:19 PM | What's your one loss then? (Score:1)
exmtroj
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Joined: 10/24/2008
MGoPoints: 2275

What's your one loss then?

 

 

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