SB nation projects Michigan to CFB Playoff

Submitted by Decatur Jack on

Quoted from article:

Michigan might be the safest Playoff pick in the country; I don't think the Wolverines are the best team, but look at that schedule. 7-0 heading into East Lansing should be expected. 8-4 would be a disaster. The Wolverines should have a monstrous defense, and the only real Q is at quarterback, where there are decent options on paper.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/6/28/12046584/bowl-projec…

The Clean North

June 28th, 2016 at 10:58 AM ^

Yeah about that... Michigan needs to win at least a divisional title before that even becomes close to being true. Just so you know: Iowa won one already before Michigan did. Then an actual playoff appearance would be possible.

Danwillhor

June 29th, 2016 at 4:11 AM ^

not an easy thing when talking about something we love. I don't see top-5 for the next couple years. Mediocre and/or young OL, HBs, questions at QB. I think we'll be fine vs most but why anyone thinks we'll beat osu this year (beyond hope) is confusing. This is the year we should get msu. Heck, we kinda did last year before "it" happened. osu is a different animal. They stumble into 24 points, ffs. On a bad day (as long as there isn't a typhoon) they somehow f-up their way to about 3 TDs. They'll make us one-dimensional again and simply outscore us. We're not at their level yet. I just don't see this OL leading a run game to the playoffs. I don't see O'Korn or Speight leading a passing attack to the playoffs. Defense should be able to play with anyone but in modern CFB you rarely shut down spread offenses full of 4-5 star talent, you "contain" them and try to outscore them. "Contain" generally meaning anything under 40 and less than what you scored. I don't see a line with the Senior leadership of Kalis leading the way for Smith doing much to an elite defense. Hawaii? All day or prepare for the worst. osu? No. You're not outscoring osu with what we have. Soon it will be possible but not now.

PopeLando

June 28th, 2016 at 12:10 PM ^

I agree that you have to actually win, but the "we can't talk until we beat MSU and OSU" crowd is missing the point. Maybe deliberately.

People's anticipation of Michigan's success is only partially because of how good we looked against Florida. It's because we have one of the easiest schedules in the country to start the season. The OP quoted exactly thus, and yet it wasn't 5 minutes until someone interpreted it as "we're better than everyone". Not the point.

uncle leo

June 28th, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^

"We are the fonz of college football, everyone wants to be us."

Those are the comments I can't stomach. 

And I get how easy the non-conference schedule is. It all boils down to three major games. And sadly, those three games are on the road. Coming through completely unscathed is going to be a ridiculously difficult challenge.

BuckNekked

June 28th, 2016 at 8:20 PM ^

Most of the talk is from guys that are paid to get clicks and superfan/homers. Reasonable fans and certainly the team itself know that its a tall task to sweep PSU, Iowa, Wisconsin, OSU and State.

Hab

June 28th, 2016 at 11:23 AM ^

I am hoping we break last year's shutout mark.  I honestly don't care if they are consecutive or not, but I realistically think we can post 4 or more with this group if they stay healthy.

M-Dog

June 28th, 2016 at 11:36 AM ^

As long as we win each game by 1 point, I don't care how we do it.  If we need to get in a shootout and win 42-41, I'm cool with it.

I don't want us to get into a deep philosophical rut and become Debord 2.0 and punt on 3rd and 6 at the oponent's 35 and hope to play defense.

We are going to need to score points to beat the likes of Ohio State, no matter how good our defense is.

Tater

June 28th, 2016 at 11:19 AM ^

It would be great for the Big Ten if they were, but I agree that they won't.  #1 usually seems to be reserved for whoever is leading the SEC.  

At any rate, OSU certainly won't overlook Sparty this year.  For years, it seemed like Michigan always had the tougher game the week before, giving OSU an advantage in the "not being as beaten up" department.  Finally, Michigan gets a "breather" in Indiana, while OSU is playing Sparty the week before;. 

After the 2000 game, Michigan led the all time series 55-35-6. Now the lead is only 58-47-6. It's time to turn the series back around, or at the very least, "stop the bleeding."

unWavering

June 28th, 2016 at 11:21 AM ^

They most certainly could be, if they are unbeaten going into it. Urban has lost, what, 4 games in 4 years? Even if they are losing a lot 9f experience, OSU is a top 5 team until they prove that they are capable of being anything but that.

readyourguard

June 28th, 2016 at 10:36 AM ^

One of Coach Moeller's many teaching moments I vividly remember was his advice when dealing with media puff pieces:
"whenever someone tries to say something nice about you, turn around and punch them in the nose. They're only trying yo set you up."

The media would love nothing better than to see Michigan falter. It would feed the ravenous haters for years. They don't want us to succeed. They'd much rather write how, after all the hype, mighty Michigan with its satellite camps, crazy coach, and many returning starters failed to capitalize once again.

I know you're toeing my razor sharp edged lawn and I'm standing on the porch in my slippers, concert t-shirt, and zubaz, but God dangit, let's just go out and win. To hell with these writers and their fancy predictions.

ijohnb

June 28th, 2016 at 10:40 AM ^

I like Stanford, LSU, Michigan, Houston, Florida State, Clemson, and Georgia as a possible wildcard.

ijohnb

June 28th, 2016 at 10:52 AM ^

lost the entire first round of the draft to the NFL.  I will never say that OSU does not have a chance at making the playoff, they recruit too well and are too well coached for that kind of statement.  I just don't think this will be a year they seriously contend.

In reply to by ijohnb

aratman

June 28th, 2016 at 11:10 AM ^

I will assume the next guy up is better than the 1st rounder who's spot he is taking.  They are loaded, and will be/have been.

M-Dog

June 28th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^

Their national championship year, they replaced a bunch of O Linemen and of course 2 QBs.  And they still won the whole thing.

We play them the last game of the regular season.  Nobody is a freshman anymore by then.  They'll be ready and they'll be talented.

We will have march into their house, punch them in the mouth, and beat them at their full strength.  

We can't just show up and expect to win because they underperform versus their recent history. They won't.

 

Decatur Jack

June 28th, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^

Georgia going to the CFB in Kirby Smart's first year ever as a head coach would be shocking to say the least. I do acknowledge that Georgia has the talent accrued from the Richt days, but is a complete n00b HC like Smart - albeit one who was groomed by Nick Saban - really THAT much of an upgrade from Richt, who took them to multiple SEC championships?

ijohnb

June 28th, 2016 at 10:57 AM ^

but you have forgotten a key element of things that you identify somewhat in your post below.  The first year coach bump.  From Ty Willingham, to Charlie Weiss, to Brady Hoke and numerous others, inevitably there is a team that randomly breaks through with a first year coach.  I see Georgia as possibly being that team this year. 

stephenrjking

June 28th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^

I don't know, I think that's an interesting pick. Obviously, most people will favor whomever wins the LSU-Alabama game to be the SEC Champion, but it's not much of a stretch at all to predict Georgia will make the SEC title game with at most one loss. And then, they've got a shot to win.

Georgia has been loaded with talent. They've suffered some miserable injury luck, and while I think Richt was a good coach, there was some serious staff stagnation going on. It's not hard at all for me to see Georgia having that kind of season. They just need to win the SEC championship game.

Decatur Jack

June 28th, 2016 at 10:41 AM ^

I realize a nuanced view doesn't always sit well with the board. You start with a few negs and then it gets blown out of proportion.

On one hand, I want us to be good. I trust in Harbaugh and he has proven over 2015 that he is a competent coach who will improve the team over the course of a season.

On the other hand, this is exactly where I was in the offseason before 2012. I wanted to believe that Hoke was the second coming of Bo/Lloyd and that we were going to eat MSU/OSU's lunch for the rest of eternity. Obviously we all know how that went.

Harbaugh is not Hoke. Duh. They're worlds apart in terms of competency and resume. But what's the same is the ridiculous amount of hype going into the season. It goes with the terroritory of being a Michigan fan, but for once in the last 7+ years I really want that hype to be justified.

It just seemed like any time we got the slightest bit of hype or expectations the whole thing came crashing down. So I look at projections of Michigan being in the playoff and - while I want them to be true, I want to be excited - I also kind of want to leave a comment that says "Hope MSU and OSU don't blast us on the field for this."

I love Harbaugh and am glad he's the coach. I'll join anyone in the cultish chants of HARBAUGH that we all purvey on here, sure. But I'm also going to be at least somewhat skeptical of pure 'safest Playoff pick in the country' awesomeness going forward.

Let's just start with beating the fucking rivals before get all crazy about playoff runs.

Go Blue. Neg away.