Would you rather?

Submitted by SpikeFan2016 on
Disclaimer: This is a “silly” hypothetical that’s not meant to be taken too seriously; rather, the purpose is to pass time during submarine week (weeks? month?). I acknowledge that this is overly simplistic and just one possible iteration for how the season may transpire. Obviously, there are scenarios we would much prefer to both alternatives, but I think it's a genuine tough call between the two given.

 

I was having an interesting discussion with a fellow Wolverine (and a Spartan) about what the Michigan fan base would rather have in their first season of Harbaugh:

  • a strong record and a chance at a New Year’s Six bowl, but with losses to both rivals at home

OR

  • a fairly decent, but not great, record with a huge upset win over one rival (without specifying which).

In order to make this plausible and succinct, I present two records to consider:

10-2 vs. 8-4 

The reason I picked 8-4 as the comparison is that I think 9-3 is not a significant enough difference to make this challenging. Furthermore, if we go 6-6 or worse there is not a realistic chance we would beat either MSU or OSU. (this isn't a "10-2 vs 2-10" impossible scenario).

Frankly, I did struggle a bit between choosing 7-5 and 8-4, but in the end I figured there would be more, "of course we'd take 10-2 over 7-5!!!" than people saying, "of course we'd take 8-4 w/ OSU over 10-2!!!" Also, I personally think that in general 8-4 is a more likely season outcome than 7-5 so I decided to stick with it. Let me know if I was wrong/if 7-5 would have been a more challenging comparison. 

Lastly, the reason that I’m saying a win over only one rival is not because I think that there is no chance we beat both (trust me, I do think that’s definitely a possibility), but I believe that if we beat both we will have at least 10 wins anyways so the comparison would be moot.

 

Well, Wolverine fans, what do you think? What would be your considerations/rationale?

MGoBoard

Steve-a-wolverine-o

August 13th, 2015 at 8:47 PM ^

8-4 is my choice. Even before the nightmare last year, it was clear that we could only beat teams that we were supposed to beat. We could not beat good teams. I'd like to see that change. If it means we fall to good mediocre teams, so be it.

Joined: 06/24/2015

MGoPoints: 1668

spigmoni

August 14th, 2015 at 1:09 AM ^

Highly and obnoxiously specific, but regarding the scenario i'll take the 8-4 with a win over Ohio State ruining their season with the scenario that there are 4 other contenders in play excluding MSU.   We win 1969esque and begin a new 10yr war while setting up for multiple big10/title runs the next year with that momentum.

Dream scenario.  Realistically given year 1 status there may be some bumps early on, but under Harbaugh I know we'll be improving week to week... and if we manage to ruin both Mich St/Ohio State that is the ideal template for the season.  Become a well oiled machine by the meat of the schedule and get some massive upsets along the way.  Ah is it Sep 3 yet?

Joined: 08/11/2012

MGoPoints: 1248

uncleFred

August 14th, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^

we only have one rival. OSU. So 8-4 beating an undefeated OSU in "the game" then a commanding win in our bowl game. 

We lose early in tough hard fought close games with Utah, BYU, Northwestern, and MSU in overtime on a ludicrously bad call. Then we run the rest of the season with blowouts against Minn, Rutgers, Indiana, PSU, and a 14+ point crushing of OSU. We win our bowl game by 31 points, gaining 250 yards on the ground and 200 yards through the air, with the 3rd string in for the entire 4th quarter. Peppers scores off an intercepetion and the defense holds our opponent to under 200 yards of total offense. 

Of course, I'd really rather 15-0 but that wasn't offered as a choice. 

Go Blue. 

Joined: 10/14/2011

MGoPoints: 2399