Updated Rivals Preseason Top 25
An update to an earlier poll post:
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/rivals-has-very-early-top-25-out
(The search bar really does work!!)
If things hold true to Rivals prediction we are going to have a pretty tough schedule this year:
UConn 23, PSU 22, WISC 11, Iowa 8 and OSU 2.
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1050811
I know it is SUPER EARLY, but what does the board think? Who is too high, who is too low and wound you rank UM?
February 11th, 2010 at 8:17 AM ^
I like where Wisky, OSU, and UConn are at but question PSU and Iowa. PSU lost a lot I feel and so did Iowa. Still I think Iowa should be ranked but definately not at 8. Maybe mid-teens or so. PSU probably like 30th or something like that. At any rate, if we start to get up-to-speed again, we'll be fine. We've played tough opponents before and beat them, shouldnt be any different now as we start to refill our roster with players who fit the system.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:02 AM ^
we were up to speed was the '07 Citrus Bowl, the last time we hit on all cylinders. I would be surprised if we were to accomplish that this year, with the changes we have coming up on defense. We've certainly filled the roster with players who 'fit the system', but I feel a little more seasoning is in order before we begin to knock down tough opponents as we did in the past.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:21 AM ^
FYI, it was the 2008 Capital One Bowl (@ the Citrus Bowl).
February 11th, 2010 at 9:45 PM ^
Clearly you've forgotten the beatdown we threw the mighty Hornets of Delaware State. We were locked and loaded that day.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:19 AM ^
to start worrying about pre-season rankings...
That being said:
- UConn will be tough but beatable. They have a returning QB, RB and WR, and only lost 11 seniors from last year's team.
- Penn St and Iowa will be replacing senior starting QB's and Penn St has to replace some serious DL depth. That being said, I think both those teams are likely ahead of us right now
- Wiscy has the potential to be a breakout team. Lots of returning depth at key positions.
- OSU will be the class of the Big Ten again, but unless Pryor shows he can put together more than two good games in a row, I think we're looking a 2-3 loss Big Ten champ
So considering that and the rest of the Big Ten, I'd say we rank:
1) OSU
2) Wiscy
3) Penn St
4) Iowa (you can't lose Stanzi and not suffer greatly)
5) Michigan
6) Northwestern
7) Mich St
8) Purdue
9) Minnesota
10) Illinois
11) Indiana
That should be good for 7-9 wins (bowl game incl).
February 11th, 2010 at 8:39 AM ^
Stanzi was only a junior last year, and will be back for Iowa. He loves Iowa too much to leave after three years. I'm hoping better safety play will make up for our lack of being able to cover the Iowa TE's.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:58 AM ^
mea culpa. But if Lehman Stanzi does go off, won't Ricky have to quit football to focus on saving the republic?
February 11th, 2010 at 9:42 AM ^
The Iowa Caucus won't be until Jan. 2012. Since he already lives in Iowa, he can still play football and save the republic...
February 11th, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
USA baby lol, I like Stanzi he is sweet. That interview with Chris Meyers was classic
February 11th, 2010 at 1:33 PM ^
You mean he loves America too much to leave after only 3 years.
Also: OSU at number two really, really gets me POed. I swear to god, I'm afraid we're working an a solid decade of losing. I can't TAKE it anymore!
February 11th, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^
There is no way in hell that anOSU is going to lose more than two games. If the over/under was at 1.5 losses, I would take the under. I hate to say it, but they are going to be loaded and contending for a NT, the Big Ten title is almost a foregone conclusion.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:33 AM ^
This schedule looks a lot tougher than last year's. There were lots of young teams fielding new starters in 2009. Even Penn State was partially rebuilding last year. If Michigan wins 7 games, that will be a lot of improvement over 2009. More than just the two W's in the W-L record. I would put us at about 7th or 8th place, above Illinois, Purdue, and Indiana.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:44 AM ^
Are you serious?
What teams on the schedule last year were "fielding new starters?" Every team on Michigan's schedule, other than Wisconsin and Delaware State, had multi-year starters or seniors (or both!) at QB.
This year, Notre Dame, Bowling Green, Purdue, Penn State, and Illinois will all be breaking in new starters at QB.
Michigan was way closer than you realize to 9 wins last year. If you gave 2009 Michigan 2010 Michigan's depth on the offensive line and defensive backfield, they'd have beaten Michigan State, Iowa, Purdue and Illinois.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
I'm pretty sure Michigan State had two freshman quarterbacks, very young running backs, and a defense that basically consisted of Greg Jones. I think that counts as "fielding new starters".
I do agree that this year there are many more unknowns in the big ten than there were last year, however I don't think we were anywhere close to 9 wins last year. Maybe 7, not 9.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
Agreed. MSU and Iowa. However, I think MAYBE you could throw Purdue and OSU in there.
On the other hand, we just as easily could have ended up with only 3 wins, seeing as how we had to mount comebacks against both ND and Indiana.
Crazy times.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:27 PM ^
Cousins and nichols weren't freshman.. Cousins Redshirted, then played a little the next year when hoyer was hurt, then he started this past year.. Nichol went to Oklahoma, redshirted, transferred back to MSU then sat out then played this year.
February 11th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^
We have sucked the last 2 years and I hope for some discontinuazation this year.
No matter the situation with our opposition in 09, M usually ended up beating itself.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:32 AM ^
I'd love to see UConn ranked eventually in the preseason AP and Coaches Poll.
We know its doubtful Michigan will be ranked.
But, I think we will see Michigan as the Vegas favorite in that game......and, well, I've said it before, but there is that line about always taking the unraked favorite over the ranked team.
See MSU covering against Michigan in last year's game as an example.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^
Is there any reason Wisconsin isn't higher than OSU other than reputation? Last years game at the shoe was dominated by Wiscy everywhere but the scoreboard and that was OSU's defense that bailed them out.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:38 AM ^
Wisky lost a couple other games on top of that. Iowa and Northwestern. 11 seems really high to me. I would put them more towards 20.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:47 AM ^
A number of people have told me that I need to have a more optimistic outlook on life. As such, I have decided to make a life change. I will take it upon myself to believe that good things will happen and will continue to do so until my beliefs are proven false, at which point I will shift back to my pessimistically-tinged realistic view of the world. Take from that what you will.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
You're going to have to be positive for a while. The Spring Game is always great barring injury (remember Weapon of Choice). It'll be exciting to see Gardner practice and endlessly discect how Forcier is doing.
Two a days are also great, because hope is still intact for every team.
You may not get to be negative for a while--just avoid Michigan's basketball team in the Big 10 tourney.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^
look at any schedule that Michigan has and be afraid.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^
When Michigan finishes 10 and 2, lets see where we rank then. Go Blue!
February 11th, 2010 at 9:33 AM ^
I think we'll be a breakout team in the Big Ten in 2010, much like Iowa and Wisconsin were last year.
Iowa's not going to creep up on anyone in 2010 - look at how many games they escaped in 09
Penn State is definitely in rebuilding mode...Newsome's not gonna have those guys running on all cylinders
Wisconsin will be good IMO
State's going to be better, as will we. We should beat them at home.
ILL and Purdue - Our talent will dwarf them in 2010 - Those are wins.
UConn's gonna be a win - This team will come out of the gates with Moxt and break in the new stadium with pride.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^
for your avitar my friend....and that is only because I can't give you any more...
February 11th, 2010 at 10:18 AM ^
They lost 3 fifth year starters on the Oline, Their best WR, top 2 TEs, both FBs, most of their secondary, and their best pass rusher.
Weren't they suppose to be better last year having only lost Ringer and Hoyer?
February 11th, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^
I see your point and didn't really look at what they lost.
Having said that, I still think they'll be better:
Cousins is a pretty good Qb IMO...maybe the best state's ever had.
Dell and Cunningham are good playmakers and that LB will be back.
Having said that, I still think we'll be better.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^
I am ecstatic that UConn is ranked here because it gives us another shot to beat a ranked opponent, but in my opinion, no Big East teams belong in the Top 25 this year.
Wisconsin will challenge OSU for the Big Ten title -- they get OSU at Camp Randall this year I believe, and as others have pointed out have more returning starters than OSU and should have probably beaten OSU this year anyway. Out of all of our opponents from last year, Wisconsin dominated us more than the rest (with PSU a close second).
OSU is overrated at 2 -- their defense will be good, but not as good as it was this year.
Iowa is also overrated -- they had lady luck on their side in a lot of games this year, but they are still a solid team.
PSU is probably where they belong, and where they may lurk for most of the season -- on the outskirts of the Top 25.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:16 PM ^
Iowa's season in '09 is fantastic for showing what a conglomeration of fortuitous bounces can to for morale/rankings/'10 rankings. If they don't block a field goal (twice) in week one, where does their season go? They had about 18 shots to lose games, and managed to dodge almost every one of those bullets. I'm with you - they can't manage that again next year. They'd be lucky to get half as many breaks going their way. Iowa's '10 ranking is based in part on their showing from '09, one that they couldn't possibly replicate if they had to replay the season.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:28 AM ^
I'd do back flips if we could finish .500 in the big 10 next season. That would give us at least a 7-5 record. I think we have the talent but I'm still worried about a lack of experience since the team will be young. I think we'll finish around .500 next season. A sub .500 season will put RR on the hot seat for 2011, so I'll be hoping for a 6-6 record and a bowl trip.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
and the Freep are out having drinks as we speak. NO love for Michigan, and OSU number 2, come on.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:17 PM ^
and everybody who thought I thought that Michigan should be ranked. I thought this was a recruiting top 25, my bad.