Revisiting Pre-Season Expectations

Submitted by swdodgimus on
With the Washington Post jerking it's knee towards our first year national championship in the wake of Mormon Destruction 2015, I wanted to step back, take a breath, and revisit my expectations for the year. I said 9-3 with Michigan stealing a win in Utah. Without that, I said 8-4. I saw losses to one of the rivals, Penn St, and Minnesota. With our dominant defense emerging with a sometimes competent offense, buoyed by a vastly improved line, I now say definitely 9-3, even with the Utah loss. We're not losing to the two YSU's (Yakeyy Sax Universities), but weird things happen in Happy Valley. What say you all? How are the recent results dictating your current expectations?
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Cali Wolverine

October 1st, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^

My post was to mock (and convey contempt for) a silly thread about W/L predictions revisited. I did so by claiming I previously thought Michigan would go 11-1 (something I clearly did not believe following the last few seasons of Michigan football). I followed that by saying now after going 3-1, I think Michigan will go undefeated...an impossibility. I think I got sarcasm down. A response to a sarcastic comment - like a literal response that going 12-0 is in fact an impossibility unless Utah were to forfeit our game - to me demonstrates a quick response by someone that did not get the subtlety of the initial comment. Whether this response was in fact sarcastic itself or shows a lack of sarcasm may be subject to debate. But I am pretty sure I have the sarcasm thing down, but I appreciate your thoughts...I will send you a penny.

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kalamazoo

October 10th, 2015 at 4:52 PM ^

Stating the impossibility that we can go undefeated is weak irony. I feel like it is more of shock value/humor or being silly.

Also, the mocked or conveyed contempt is usually pointed toward someone...although it can be to all of us reading or an inanimate object or something. Again, I saw it as you saying something silly.

The penny comment at the end was better in that you probably didn't appreciate my thoughts, probably never intended to send me a penny, and appears to be contempt directed toward me.

Cool.

And thanks for the response to my Princess Bride quote. Inconceivable!!

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sum1valiant

September 30th, 2015 at 8:52 PM ^

I just can't find 3 more losses. Even with a stumble somewhere unexpected, I still see us winning one of the big two. We're a more complete team than MSU, and the only reason I'm hesitant to say we're better than OSU is because they're vastly more talented, comfortable in their offense, and the game is not tomorrow. If the rest of the season were being played as a 8-header tomorrow, I'd say the floor is a 10-2 regular season.

Joined: 09/01/2009

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evenyoubrutus

September 30th, 2015 at 9:36 PM ^

I agree that OSU SHOULD be more comfortable in their offense, but they haven't looked very comfortable yet this year. But you're exactly right otherwise. Unless Rudock gets hurt there is no way there are three more losses in this team. That is more so an indication of just how bad the Big Ten is than anything else. And also, I know this is feelingsball talk, but I have a hard time imagining Harbaugh not knocking off at least one of the rivals in his first season.

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Carcajou

October 1st, 2015 at 3:08 AM ^

I said before the season we should promise ourselves to be satisfied this year with a bowl game, and expected 7-6 or 8-5 overall. 

Now IFF everyone stays healthy, all things seem (and are) possible 

However Michigan thus far has had no major injuries to deal with.  There is depth in the DL, and maybe at RB.  Maybe WR, too.  But a couple of injuries on the OL, or at DB, or at QB, and every game would again be in doubt.  Just stay tuned, be optimistic but pleasantly surprised and grateful, and don't go ordering those playoff tickets just yet.

 

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gwkrlghl

October 1st, 2015 at 12:19 AM ^

I can see MSU & OSU this year. A few weeks ago I thought the Utah game showed that the turnover bug could kill us, but now that Utah appears to be very very good, I'm having trouble findings that 3rd loss too. The "2nd tier" teams we play - Minnesota, Northwesterm. and Penn State - all have offenses that our D will devour. We could probably win all of those 7-3

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jabberwock

September 30th, 2015 at 9:49 PM ^

Same here.

This team can be great but it still has lots of flaws.  Some of those will be exposed.

I'm certain we will piss at least one game away with turnovers, key injuries, or a fluke play.

The difference between this year & the last couple is that every game is actually still winnable.

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swdodgimus

September 30th, 2015 at 7:42 PM ^

That Michigan fans are more grounded than the national media. You're already seeing playoff predictions coming left and right, and the actual fans are like, "Give it time." Maybe we're just massive pessimists after all these years.

Joined: 07/25/2009

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JFW

September 30th, 2015 at 8:27 PM ^

I'm all about looking for improvement and enjoying the ride. Let's just enjoy this one.

A 9-3 first season would be a hell of a story so long as we have week to week improvement.

Sheesh. We've seen one really good game this week. Next week Michigan might go into its shell and while we still would likely win the board will be recalibration again. Even a Harbaugh team may have a week where we take a step back.

Let's just sit back and enjoy the trajectory without setting up expectations too high.



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Brimley

September 30th, 2015 at 10:02 PM ^

That was a team that had an intimidating defense, big, tough line, no mistakes quarterback, stable of running backs.  Sound familiar?  It also had AC, which is a bit of an issue given he's the best college offensive player I've ever seen and all, but I do wonder if Jabrill can fill some of that role as the year goes on...

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HAIL-YEA

September 30th, 2015 at 9:51 PM ^

I laugh at anyone who makes a comparrison to any team of the last 7 years. Throw all the records you want at me, I sat through those games and never once did I think we were a really good team. I still think we have a way to go but this team would stomp any Hoke or RR Michigan team. I am going with 10-2.. MSU is coming in #2 with playoff aspirations, unprecedented hype and a win streak against us. Harbaugh is going to take it all from them! 

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Firstbase

September 30th, 2015 at 7:46 PM ^

So much depends on injuries and the injury picture of our opponents. I'd say 8 wins is conservative. 9 wins sounds like even money. 10 wins is where I pick us this year. 

 

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Lanknows

September 30th, 2015 at 8:09 PM ^

except expected to lose to Minnesota.  I don't think so anymore so 10-2 it is.

This team is going to get better faster than other teams.

I admit I dipped to 8-4 after the Utah game.  About mid-way last week I was up to 9 wins and after that BYU domination, Utah beating Oregon, and all the rest, I'm back up to 10.

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sum1valiant

September 30th, 2015 at 8:57 PM ^

Not sure I understand this logic. Utah is obviously a much stronger opponent than MSU at this point, and BYU/NW are probably a toss up, same goes for MD/Oregon State. So I assume you're stating that the next 3 weeks will be more telling because the other story has already been told?

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