Wolverines Dominate

August 1st, 2013 at 12:15 PM ^

I'm OK with that. M was overrated going into last season. I'd rather not have high expectations at this point in the Hoke process. Next year or 2015, however, I expect big things.

Section 1

August 1st, 2013 at 2:18 PM ^

I was told by a former Bo player in-the-know that Michigan will be Michigan again starting 2014. 

I was worried that it might have been Eric Mayes; but Mayes played for Carr, not Bo.

Anyway, what does "Michigan being Michigan again" mean?  Is 9-4 "Michigan being Michigan again"?  Does it mean losing to Ohio State and going to the Outback Bowl?

2014 is when we have to face Lloyd Carr's old nemesis; Appalachian State.  I hope Michigan is something other than "historical Michigan" when that date arrives.  Maybe Brady Hoke ought to order a team-wide urine screen that morning.

In reply to by Section 1

MidnightBlue

August 1st, 2013 at 2:27 PM ^

What does it mean?

1.  It means a dominant run game with a dominant OL.

2  It means that is well ahead of MSU.

3.  It means a solid defense.

Number 3 is the only thing we've had.    Regarding #1,  we all know we haven't had that in awhile. Yes, we had the spread and that was effective too.   Regarding #2, MSU has been better than us the past FOUR years.

Section 1

August 1st, 2013 at 2:40 PM ^

I thought that we led the Conference in total offense in 2010; mostly as a rushing team.  I thought we had the dominant dual-offense producer in the nation that year (Denard Robinson).  And I think you got to it already; the fact that from the moment that Greg Mattison arrived, Michigan's defense has been at least as good as anything ever put together by Ron English.

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TIMMMAAY

August 1st, 2013 at 3:00 PM ^

I haven't seen Michigan field a defense like '06 since, well, '06. Don't get me wrong, 2011 was a good year, but not on the level we had in 2006.

 

NOLA Wolverine

August 1st, 2013 at 12:32 PM ^

They basically had us beat at home with a minute to go, and we needed OT to get past them. They lost by one point to Nebraska. They won their bowl game against a good team. They return a ton of players, including their two most dangerous play makers from last year. Northwestern will be a tough team to play again this year. 

M_Born M_Believer

August 1st, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^

The NW game is the most important.  Now before everyone neg bombs me, let me explain.  OF COURSE the OSU game has the utmost importance, but they are not in our division this year.

A loss to NW would be damning in our chances to achieve the team goals (BIG Ten title, Rose Bowl, etc).  I certainly expect NW to beat both MSU and Neb, that means our game with them will determine who goes to the B1G Championship game.

With that being stated, I am very confident that we NW.  While their O is explosive, their D is not and with the improved athleticism on our D, we match up better against their O.

I am sure there will be a pending future thread, but I am calling for a 12-2 season.....

Logan88

August 1st, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^

Why do you expect N'Western to beat Nebraska in Lincoln? I know that they did manage to do that two years ago, but expecting that to happen again seems odd. Northwestern has a better team this year than they did last year but their schedule is much harder and I think they will finish with a worse record (8-4 or 7-5) than last season.

Nebraska is the real threat to UM in the Legends division as they have the combination of a good-ish team and an easy conference schedule. MSU's schedule is probably just as easy as Nebraska's but they won't be good enough to take advantage of it to win the division.

M_Born M_Believer

August 1st, 2013 at 1:43 PM ^

But NW has us, MSU and OSU at home.  And yes they did beat Neb 2 year ago.  I also account for the fact that Neb as like only 3 returning starters on D.  Yes T-Mart is coming back and their O is good, but NW contained it each of the last 2 years.

Neb D will not be good, not under any circumstances, especially against an experienced and explosive O like NW.

Keep in mind that while Neb did win against NW last year.  It was a freak series of plays in the 4th quarter that allowed Neb to pull one out of their you know what.  So, yes, I am confident that Pat will the Purple Swarm ready for Neb even in Lincoln this year......

tbeindit

August 1st, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^

Since when was Mississippi State a good team?  At best, they were above average.  They went 8-5 last year and 4-4 in their conference and beat none of the good teams they faced.  Their SEC wins came against Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas.  Which of those wins is impressive?  Not a single one of those teams went to a bowl game.  You can talk all you want about them playing in the SEC, but the fact is that they built their record on beating teams in the bottom of the conference.  If a team like Purdue had beat them, would we even be talking about this?  The only reason it got so much attention was because Northwestern hadn't won a bowl game in so long.

Northwestern lost to Michigan and Nebraska in dramtic fashion, but they also won in dramatic fashion.  They lost 2 close games, but also won 2 close games.  For all intents and purposes, that's a wash.  Add in that they avoided OSU and Wisconsin and there are plenty of reasons to doubt Northwestern for next year.