Upsets this year
So I just got my wisdom teeth removed and since I have nothing else to think about, football is on my mind even more so. Looking at our schedule this year, we have 3 huge games played at home this year: Notre Dame, Penn State, and Ohio State. As you all know, the Notre Dame game is the 2nd game for both schools, with Notre Dame's after playing Nevada. For the Nittany Lions, the game against is is crammed between a Minnesota game at home and a trip to Northwestern followed by a trip to Columbus. Meanwhile, the buckeyes have to travel to Happy Valley then play Iowa at home before traveling to Ann Arbor.
I personally think Penn State is our best bet and we are going to catch them at the right time. However, of the three, which game, if any, do you think we have the best shot of winning?
August 10th, 2009 at 11:40 AM ^
I think the ND is a better "situation to catch them in" as they expect to roll over us again and haven't been tested. I'd say OSU, too, coming off the two tough games, but I can't imagine them EVER taking it lightly on Michigan. That and they'll be trying to seal up a BCS bid if not an MNC.
I really thought Penn State has the best schedule for "not gettin caught with their pants down." I would think they consider us (albeit quite possibly not warranted) to be better than Minnesota or Northwestern. Those two teams should be greatly improved this year, but I don't think they would overlook a chance to beat Michigan either.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:41 AM ^
I don't think they are as good as ppl say they are.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:44 AM ^
I think PSU and OSU have much more talent (and much better coaching) than N.D.
I wouldn't consider beating ND a "big" upset, whereas Penn St and OSU would be.
Of PSU and OSU.. I would consider PSU a bigger upset. Clark and Royster are going to give our defense fits. Hopefully our safeties are proven by PSU
August 10th, 2009 at 11:46 AM ^
PSU lost of starts on both sides of their lines. And as for proving our safeties, they also lost their top 3 WRs. May not be the best judgement on how good our safeties are.
August 10th, 2009 at 12:06 PM ^
PSU is one of the very few teams we play this year with a proven every-down tail-back (actually, maybe the only one?). They will have to rely on Royster to establish the running game to set-up the pass (and challenge our safeties who may get sucked into run support). Add Clark's ability to run... could be a tough day. Expect PSU ball-control established by a seasoned senior qb and a legit tailback.
And as far as losses on the O-line... they will reload and be more than serviceable no matter who starts
August 10th, 2009 at 11:52 AM ^
If our team is good, we should beat Notre Dame. ND, on an even field, looked nowhere near as dynamic as Michigan did LAST year. The six turnovers, short fields, a couple bad tackles, and the rainstorm did our team in. It wasn't Notre Dame "outscheming" Michigan.
From what I've read Notre Dame has a bunch of Charlie Weis-like fatasses on their D-line now, so I think Michigan's speed might be even more effective than last year. That would be the kind of game where guys like Vincent Smith, Jeremy Gallon and Je'Ron Stokes should get opportunities to shine. Also, I would think Tate's ability to scramble away from those D-line fatties will come in handy, as Threet had no chance to get away last year.
August 10th, 2009 at 12:07 PM ^
ND played in the same rainstorm as we did. They were able to throw deep on us pretty effectively. With all of the question marks that we have on defense this year, we are probably going to struggle again pass coverage. Someone else besides Graham is going to have to step up and provide a pass rush, or, we will be in for a long afternoon.
August 10th, 2009 at 2:35 PM ^
If you compare Steven Threet's passing stats to Clausen's you'd be surprised to find:
Threet = completed 16 of 23, 175 yards and 1 TD.
Clausen = completed 11 of 21, 147 yards and 2 TDs.
Golden tate had a few large gains, one for a TD. That's probably why I worry about this year. ND's offense will be better this year, no question.
Sheridan threw two picks late in the game, but really, the difference was turnovers on special teams and everyone who saw that game knows it. I'm not excusing it, I'm just saying when you turn the ball over inside your own ten/twenty, twice, you should lose.
PS I was at that game- it sucked.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:59 AM ^
we're not even considering MSU on this list.
August 10th, 2009 at 12:03 PM ^
+1 for the thought. -1 for the fact that redcedar or the like will bring this up that you were thinking about MSU therefore you must be obssessed with them. it will happen.
August 10th, 2009 at 7:49 PM ^
Michigan plays Michigan State in East Lansing. These are all home games.
August 10th, 2009 at 12:19 PM ^
Since I'm going to the Penn State game, I say we beat Penn State.
August 10th, 2009 at 1:07 PM ^
I think that the Penn State game is going to be our best chance. The Notre Dame game is going to be tough for us becuase they have a very good group of wide receivers and our secondary mainly our safties are not going to be that experinced yet. The Ohio State game will be tough because they could possibly be looking to nail down a BCS bid and also the fact that they will probally never look ahead when playing Michigan. The Penn State game though could be good for us because we catch them in the middle of a couple big games and the fact that their wide receivers are inexperinced just like our secondary could cancel out our secondary weakness.
August 10th, 2009 at 1:32 PM ^
I will be upset if we suck. If we do not suck, I will not be upset. Please tell me how obvious it is I'm studying for the LSAT right now...
August 10th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^
is our best chance because I think we are as good as them anyway and it shouldn't even be an upset. If I were to pick an upset it would be the OSU game simply on the emotions of the players and RR's hidden desire to crush them (I know he down played the rivalry but I think he knows how big it is and really wants it bad this year).