SI's Mandel picks UM 26 UConn 21: UM's Anger will be Unleashed
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/09/02/week-1/index.html?eref=sihp
His reason for picking UM in this game, IMO, is right on the mark. If this team is as bonded and "All In For Michgian" as reported the last few months, then there is no way they don't play pissed off and angry right out of the gates.
I love teams with chips on their shoulders.
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:44 PM ^
Well, he was right in 2008...
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:51 PM ^
I can't wait to see "The Manster" in UConns backfield all day long!!
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:57 PM ^
Anger is a 34-8 woodshed pounding in Happy Valley...26-21 at home against UConn is a good win, and a great set-up for the rest of the season.
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:58 PM ^
Waaaay too low of a score.
I'm thinking something like M-37 UConn-31
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^
the weather could play a factor because it is supposed to be VERY windy on Saturday. Personally I think this can only help us, especially our defense. But if it is very windy that could result in a lower scoring game. I am pretty confident, however, that Mandel probably does not take the weather into account (unless it is known that there will be a hurricane or something).
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^
the weather would only effect long passing and field goal attempts, neither of which we intend on doing much of on saturday. so it could result in a lower scoring game for uconn, but i doubt it will effect our offense
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:21 PM ^
more of a track meet than a defensive struggle. if they are a running team, i would go with mayby a wider margin of victory.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:05 PM ^
UConn's 2-OT win over ND in 2009, and I've come to some conclusions. If ND were the exact same as they were in 2009, and we were our 2010 version, which should be substantially improved in several respects, would you fear ND a lot, or would you kind of hedge on probably winning that one?
UConn eked out a 2-OT win in a slightly different fashion, because they were able to get a defensive stop in the 2nd OT and hold ND to a Field Goal. We got the win because ND couldn't stop our offense.
Here's the trick. Our offense is GOING to be improved this year. UConn's defense is full of question marks this year, with injuries and untested players.
I smell a win!
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:14 PM ^
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:32 PM ^
1) HOLD ON TO THE DAMN BALL!!!
2) Dline has to Hulk up, eh? Either that or Kovacs has to do his right place-right time tackling show again.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:35 PM ^
despite lots of missed tackles (because we never do that) and bad turnovers by both team (again, something we never do).
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:35 PM ^
Nothing in this video has me scared about UCONN. All I saw was poor tackeling from ND, which sadly could happen to us as well. But I have a feeling were going to be pleasently surprised by our D tomorrow.
I think we were gonna win by 2+ touchdowns, and pretty much man handle this team. Call me a homer but in no way are we losing to UCONN.
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^
I might be drinking the kool-aid here, but I see no way in hell in which UCONN holds our offense to 26 points.
I think Stonum will have a big play for a TD, Denard will eat them up alive on the ground with his legs, and the 4 backs that will get carries - Vincent Smith, Michael Shaw, Mike Cox, and Stephen Hopkins will all have some nice gains.
I think we drop 40+ on UCONN.
Problem is that our defense is so bad, UCONN might drop just as much on us.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^
3 TDs, a FG and a safety?
3 TDs (one missed PAT) and 2 FGs?
4 TDs (2 missed PATs)?
2 TDs and 4 FGs?
8 FGs and a safety?
13 safeties?
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:23 PM ^
And a partridge in a pear tree.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:44 PM ^
2 TDs, 4 FGs makes the most sense.
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:42 PM ^
Except that with our (apparently) unsettled kicking game, predicting four made field goals may be a stretch.
It could be something like three TDs, two made FGs and one missed PAT.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:44 PM ^
Choice #2 except, instead of a missed PAT, it will be a failed 2pt conversion to take a 7 point lead.
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:33 PM ^
Good offense and a questionable defense obviously equal lots of points being scored.
I kind of have the feeling that this entire season might feel like the Northwestern game in 2001 (or was it 2000?) where we lost by a score of about 55-51. It should be fun and exciting...I just hope that the inevitable heart attack moments don't kill me.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^
I hate comparing apples to oranges, but I figure RR's game plan won't change much for this game compared with his WV teams. But 27 was the least he put up against Uconn in 2004, followed by 45, 37, and 66. I don't see any way this team scores less than 27 considering RR knows this offense has to put huge numbers on the board to support the defense.
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:16 PM ^
September 3rd, 2010 at 7:15 PM ^
I think we'll have a decent run defense. If team was like Texas Tech with leach I'd be very worried. Remember how good WMU quarterback was supposed to be...It's all pre-season paranoia. Michigan [42] UConn [28]
P.S. Just trying to reassure myself so I don't pass out of paranoia.