Mr. Yost

December 7th, 2013 at 6:46 PM ^

They have arguably the best AD in the country, they'll be fine without Strong and co.

That said, I agree, they were never an option.

And of course it's not about competitive excellence, it's about TV markets.

I'm just tired of watching how awesome the SEC is and how BAD the B1G is.

I want to have conference pride again and brag about how dominant we are. Even if Michigan returns to glory, the conference is still pretty awful right now.

Mr. Yost

December 7th, 2013 at 6:54 PM ^

Strong won a basketball national championship?

Look at their other sports like soccer, field hockey, baseball, etc.

They're a strong athletics department. Tom Jurich is widely considered one of the best with Jeremy Foley at Florida and the guy that just went to Texas. Hollis at MSU is always in the mix as well.

Mr. Yost

December 7th, 2013 at 6:49 PM ^

I would've been fine with Mizzou and Maryland though...

That said, we need to get better before we worry about anything else. Auburn, Mizzou, Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M all could've easily won the B1G this year. Not saying they would, but it's not a far fetched thought.

That's 5 elite teams when UF, UGA, and UT are all down. I didn't even mention S. Carolina.

ghost

December 7th, 2013 at 6:55 PM ^

Have you seen Tex A&M play D?  They would not have easily won the Big10 or any major conference.  LSU was terribly inconsistent all year and almost capped it off by losing to Arkansas.  

The Vegas sports books, who usually know a thing or two, would have OSU favoured over all those teams except for Bama.

So saying those teams could have easily won the Big10 is just wrong and quite frankly a joke.  The Big10 is down yes, but I'll take the opinion of the guys of Vegas over yours any day and so would most people.

Mr. Yost

December 7th, 2013 at 6:59 PM ^

I said it wouldn't surprise me.

Also, you can go through an entire regular season and not play OSU or MSU.

Texas A&M could beat either of those teams in a B1G championship game...not saying they would, but it's not even a stretch.

I hate saying it, but in the SEC you can miss teams, but you can't miss everyone.

jimt1023

December 7th, 2013 at 6:49 PM ^

Watching these teams makes me feel like we have a long way to go to compete with the best. They look like complete teams, they have good punters and guys who can actually return punts. They have big athletic defenses. They have competent offenses. Am I wrong? I just feel like it will take years for michigan to compete at this level.

Mr. Yost

December 7th, 2013 at 6:52 PM ^

It's going to have to happen in 2015 or I don't see it happening under Hoke.

That said, I have faith. As long as we can improve and develop the guys we have and hold on to these recruiting classes.

Watching Green-Beckham makes me think about George Campbell.

Watching the RBs make me think about Harris with Green and Smith.

2015 we'll have upperclassmen who were highly touted, we'll have depth and we'll have a favorable schedule.

SalvatoreQuattro

December 7th, 2013 at 6:59 PM ^

OSU, MSU, and ND all lose a lot of talent. Golson will have a year's rust to shake off and ND loses most of their defense and offensive line, MSU loses 7 of their 11 defenders(and perhaps Narduzzi)  and most of their offensive line, and OSU loses most of their OL, secondary, and Hyde. Smith could leave as well.

 

The challenge for next year lies with the team itself. If they make dramatic improvements on both lines and Gardner matures UM can win 10-11 games. The talent is there.

 

However, this is a gigantic "if".

mGrowOld

December 7th, 2013 at 6:58 PM ^

I think the winner of the SEC should just get an auto-bid to play in the MNC and the runner up in the SEC should probably also get an autobid too.  Matter of fact, next year when college football starts their four team playoff I think the 3rd & 4th place teams in the SEC should also probably round out the quartet.

Cause the SEC is like the best conference EVER.