SIAP, initial Vegas line has us 19.5 point underdogs
It has dropped in literally the past 5 minutes to as low as 18 points (Leroy's).
I know Vegas doesn't offer an overt prediction, but shit, that's depressing.
http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/
November 21st, 2010 at 11:28 PM ^
There is a lot of evidence to suggest that he is a good coach, and yet some ND fans were ready to fire him five games into the season. Kelly admitted that he's feeling the heat. ND is becoming like those animals that eat their own young.
November 21st, 2010 at 11:24 PM ^
By "supposedly loyal" I mean the hardcore RR supporters who openly proclaim their loyalty to the program yet strangely seem to have lower expectations than everyone else.
November 21st, 2010 at 11:34 PM ^
Did I have lower expectations for this season than, say, for the 2006 season? Yes, yes I did. Did you not?
I want the program to get back to its previous standards and I think it will soon. I just never thought it would this season.
As for proclaiming my loyalty, I haven't proclaimed anything. I don't need to proclaim anything.
November 22nd, 2010 at 1:04 AM ^
I suspect that most RR supporters like myself have been willing to give him the benefit of the doubt over the last three seasons, in large part because of the well-chronicled roster issues that were present when he took the job, and because the team is comprised of kids who seem to be very team-oriented and appear to be busting their asses regardless of the circumstances. However, my expectations are going to be signficantly higher next year, and higher the year after that, since by then RR will finally have his own juniors and seniors. 7-5 with blowout losses to MSU, Iowa, PSU, Wisky, and OSU will not cut it at all after this season. If we are not truly competitive with the best teams in the conference next season, I don't think it would be at all unreasonable to make a move. The problem is that I have a hard time envisioning the defensive progress we need to make without substantial changes to the defensive coaching staff. I am not convinced that all of our defensive problems are solely due to youth and injury.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^
A. It will somewhat decrease the "Oh my God, we lost! I am now off the RR bandwagon!" posts that seem to happen after every loss.
B. OSU might take the game just a bit for granted, though they were plenty fired up for the '08 game when Michigan had about a .01 percent chance of winning.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:32 PM ^
I think you're a wee bit optimistic there.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:33 PM ^
Can't I?
November 21st, 2010 at 10:33 PM ^
A dozen or so years ago, I recall M being a 15+ dog and winning. Of course, Coooper was the opposing coach.
Ahhh, the good old days.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:58 PM ^
We were 7-3, OSU was 10-0. We were something like a 17-point underdog. Everyone was shocked wihen that line came out - they'd never set one that high for Michigan-Ohio State, a game where anything could happen.
When do we go back to those days? 2011? 2012?
November 22nd, 2010 at 12:29 AM ^
Agreed. DOOM rating increased to three DOOMs out of five.
At least we'll get a (hopefully) winnable game come January to tide us over in the offseason.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:33 PM ^
That's ridiculous. We played them tough last year. Same with MSU and Iowa. We played those teams tough last year too, and um, well.... it is just ridiculous.
November 22nd, 2010 at 12:43 AM ^
We lost by 17 to MSU and by 10 to Iowa. Playing someone tough the year before counts for nothing. The evidence is what it is. If playing someone "tough" the year before leads to an 18pt line, than that seems about right for this year.
MSU Mich:
2009: 26-20 OT
2010: 34-17
Iowa - Mich
2009: 30-28
2010: 38-28
OSU-Mich
2009: 21-10
2010: ???
MSU went from a 6pt loss to a 17pt loss. Iowa from a 2pt loss to a 10pt loss. Ohio State was the biggest loss of the three last year at 11pts. Is it really outlandish to think that 18-20pts is unreasonable for a line?
November 21st, 2010 at 11:22 PM ^
I'd take the points.
Considering what Wisconsin did to us by running, I wouldn't even put the ball in the air more than a dozen time if I were Sweater vest.
Our defense is just not up to the task.
I hope otherwise, and I will never concede to OSU.
November 21st, 2010 at 11:40 PM ^
UM was a 10-point dog to the Gators in the Cap One bowl and won. . . .just sayin.
GO BLUE
November 22nd, 2010 at 12:34 AM ^
I live in vegas and bet often. It amazing to me how the casios are usually spot on with these lines. This is a very sobering line. I hope we stick it to the books and pull the upset of a lifetime. Go Blue!
November 22nd, 2010 at 1:44 AM ^
That's pretty much right where Sagarin has it.
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^
I would have to say that setting a line that high in a the biggest rivalry game in the history of ever is pretty interesting. Frankly out of Wisky and tOSU I thought tOSU was your best bet for a win. So unless the Ankle Hating Gods strike again, I'll take UM and the points! Easy money.
November 22nd, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
I am not a betting man ... and I have read on this thread about U of M being 17 point dogs in the past, but really can anyone show us where Michigan has been a 19.5 point underdog in any football game ? Any ???
I can't remember anything close to 19.5 points ... but admittedly, I do not bet on football.
Game temp on Saturday in the 30's & they saw Wisconsin run the ball down our throats (1 pass in the 2nd half ... resulted in a fumble). I doubt OSU throws 10 times in the entire game. Hope is a horrible strategy ... and unfortunately - I think that's all we have.
Go Blue !