U-M finally enters Big Ten play unbeaten in top 10

Submitted by Human Torpedo on

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2016/09/michigans_undefeated_…

This is significant as this article suggests as this is just the fourth time in 30 years U-M has done that (excluding years we've started the season with a conference game). Starting in 1960, the results of years we finished undefeated in the non-conference as a current top 10 team as follows:

1961: 6-3 and unranked

1964: 9-1, won Rose Bowl, won Rose Bowl

1970: 9-1 and ranked #9

1985: 10-1-1, won Fiesta Bowl, ranked #2 

1986: 11-2 and ranked #8

1997: 12-0, won Rose Bowl, AP National Champions

1999: 10-2, won Orange Bowl, ranked #5

2006: 11-2 and ranked #8

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Bb011

September 19th, 2016 at 5:36 PM ^

We did what we had to do, which is all that we can ask. However, there needs to be some context. The main reason I say that is because in the past years we played more OOC games, now we only play 3 so it is easier to get out of the OOC schedule undefeated. We also typically play at least 1 top 20 or so team in the OOC. We played a bad hawaii, a mediocre UCF, and a pretty decent Colorado team. We never played a legitimate top 20 team though as a test. Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely excited for this season, but this stat isn't quite as relevant as it would have been in the past with the context added in. 

Joined: 09/02/2010

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Mr Miggle

September 19th, 2016 at 6:02 PM ^

Until 2002 the regular season was only 11 games. So there haven't been many seasons with 4 OOC games. If you go back further the seasons were even shorter. The 1964 team only played 9 regular season games.  It is true this slate of games was weaker than most.

 

Joined: 10/07/2010

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Stashamo

September 19th, 2016 at 6:04 PM ^

Bb011, you said "We never played a legitimate top 20 team though as a test."

Were you refering to the years listed?  Because Alabama just a few years ago certainly comes to mind as a top-20 team that was a test.  That is just going from immediate memory with no research.

Joined: 03/09/2013

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Bb011

September 19th, 2016 at 7:00 PM ^

I was referring to this year we haven't played a legit top 20 team and that most years we do play someone like that in the OOC. So yes, we did play alabama in years past which is what I am talking about. We typically play a ranked Utah, Notre Dame, Etc in the OOC, but we didn't this year. Not that we can do anything about that, when we scheduled UCF they were a damn good team. 

Joined: 09/02/2010

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Heisman212

September 19th, 2016 at 5:36 PM ^

We're comparing ourselves to the two best programs in the land right now and it's not fair to the team we have. Harbaugh didn't inherit a well coached team. He is building the foundation for a solid future. We need to enjoy each week instead of focusing on the last game or even the MSU game. Were on the right path. This stat just shows how hard it has been for us to reach the big ten and highly rated.

Joined: 08/24/2009

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The Maizer

September 19th, 2016 at 5:41 PM ^

I'm wondering what the conversaton about this team would be like this year if we weren't looking at a mass departure of starters before the 2017 season. I think people are nervous about this year's end result because it seems that this is the year with the best chance in the near future.

Joined: 08/07/2015

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NJblue2

September 19th, 2016 at 6:08 PM ^

I'm in that camp for sure, we're losing a lot after this year. Obviously we can reload like OSU or something, but we haven't seen that happen yet so naturally I'm assuming the team will take a step back. I doubt it'll be a big step, but a step back nonetheless.

Joined: 08/08/2010

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aratman

September 19th, 2016 at 9:47 PM ^

Seems to me he showed up to a team with loads of talent and who were about to become upper classmen.  That is not a dig on him, no way in a billion years does Hoke have the team playing the way it does now.  I am saying the defense was well coached and talented but young under Hoke.  We need to give him more credit for the shelves he stocked, cupboards weren't empty and it was stocked to play manball.  If you don't buy that I give you one word: Peppers.

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Vengeful Barbarian

September 19th, 2016 at 5:44 PM ^

I wish people would pump the brakes on the hype train a bit. We haven't beaten anyone good yet this year, our defense looked shaky at times and our offense still has multiple things to work on. I won't believe we are the #4 or #5 team until we beat MSU and OSU. 

Joined: 02/12/2014

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Vengeful Barbarian

September 19th, 2016 at 6:01 PM ^

I'm not denying we are a top 25 team, but I don't think we are better than Clemson, Houston, Stanford, or Michigan State, and maybe not even Florida State, LSU, 2 loss Oklahoma or 2 loss Ole Miss. I think we are overhyped, because we are Michigan and a highly ranked Michigan gets better ratings for college football, and because we had one good bowl game last year against Florida. Harbaugh will need a few years to really get the team where it actually is one of the top 4 teams in the nation. 

Joined: 02/12/2014

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HarleyMarlboro

September 19th, 2016 at 6:31 PM ^

I'll give you Clemson, Houston, and Stanford, but I disagree with the rest that you have listed.  Staee hasn't looked great at all, and the rest all have at least one bad loss.  Maybe LSU's wasn't that bad, but it was still a big upset.  

I'm not denying that UM gets overrated, but most of those other teams haven't proven anything either.

Joined: 09/05/2016

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Vengeful Barbarian

September 19th, 2016 at 10:34 PM ^

MSU's players dont become "talents" until after they blow up during the season. Two years ago we were making fun of Connor Cook, and MSU's terrible Oline fillled with walk ons and unheralded recruits. I hate to say it, but every year it seems the same, start off with close wins againts terrible teama, and end up with trips to the BIG championship game. Until they peove otherwise, they are still good.

Joined: 02/12/2014

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Vengeful Barbarian

September 19th, 2016 at 7:27 PM ^

Clemson went 14-1 last year, so if we can still get credit for destroying Florida, they should get credit for getting to the NCG. Houston went 13-1 last year, beat FSU in the bowl game, and took out Oklahoma so far this year. Stanford went 12-2, and have won 11+ games in 4 of the last 5 years after Harbaugh. I think until we prove that we can beat the big boys, we shouldn't buy into the hype. I've seen enough Michigan football letdowns since 2004 and have learned to be cautious with my early season expectations. 

Joined: 02/12/2014

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lilpenny1316

September 19th, 2016 at 7:58 PM ^

I don't understand the sentiment.  We had virtually one bad half of football, and now we're worse than teams losing by 40 at home?  We're blowing out teams this year with half of our playbook and sitting future NFL draft picks because we don't need them yet.  We needed all hands on deck to beat Akron three years ago.  

I don't know if the RichRod/Hoke years have you disbelieving the talent on this team, but every independent evaluator of talent says this team is legit.  That's why Michigan is ranked #4/#5.  

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bluesalt

September 19th, 2016 at 6:11 PM ^

I think Colorado will prove to be a good team when the season has finished. Maybe not a conference title game contender, but 6-3 or 7-2. They were dominant over their first two games, and even the first quarter of our game. I know their competition in those games was as poor as ours, but mediocre teams do not start out a season beating opponents by a combined score of 100-14. Their warts show. Now, if Liufau is out for any extended time, I take back what I said above, because it's still a team lacking quality depth. But it's a team with some decent talent and good coaching.

Joined: 11/02/2011

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MichiganTeacher

September 19th, 2016 at 6:46 PM ^

I mean, now that we wrecked their QB, yeah, maybe.

But if Liufau and their OLB had stayed healthy, they'd easily win next week at Oregon (because seriously, Brady gave up like 28 to UC Davis, you think he wouldn't give up 60 to the Liufau?). That'd be 3 wins. They'd also very likely win vs the Beavers, vs ASU, at Arizona, and vs Washington State. That's 7 wins. They'd have good shots at USC, vs UCLA, and vs Utah. I wouldn't expect them to win all of those, but the only game they have no shot at is Stanford away. 

With Liufau and their other injuries - yeah. I don't know what they'll be able to do. 

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snarling wolverine

September 19th, 2016 at 9:01 PM ^

Do you realize that CU played a lot of those teams close last year?  They lost to USC by 3, UCLA by 4, Utah by 6, and Arizona by 7.   And now they're much more experienced, whereas I don't think any of those four other teams are improved. 

So far they've had one common opponent from 2015 to 2016 - Colorado State.  They've gone from beating CSUby 3 in OT last year to beating them by 37 this year.  There's reason to believe they're improved and will have a solid season, if their QB can return.

 

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