Latest Sagarin Ratings: Michigan highest rated team from the B1G

Submitted by ChalmersE on

Michigan is the highest rated team from the Big Ten at 15.  Wisconsin is right behind at 16 and is ultimately projected to finish higher.  Nebraska is 19; MSU is 21.  This tells me that if Michigan beats Nebraska and Ohio, it will get a BCS bid along with Wisconsin after it wins out and crushes State in a rematch.

Muttley

November 13th, 2011 at 11:15 AM ^

and put another at-large potentially in play.  We have to win two toss-up games.  Then...

In this Nov 7 update, Palm projects

Title game: LSU vs Stanford

Rose: Wisconsin vs Oregon

Fiesta: Oklahoma vs ?

Sugar: Alabama vs ?

Orange: Clemson vs ?

Boise State and Cincinnati still have to go somewhere, so only one at-large spot is open.

What then does Palm think the Fiesta would do with the next choice?

The Fiesta gets the first choice of selections for its game in this year's rotation, followed by the Sugar and Orange. The Fiesta can chose from Boise State, Cincinnati, Houston, Michigan, Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech.

Michigan blows all of those other teams out of the water in terms of fan base and marquee value. Not even close. Also, Michigan's fan base would not be jaded by a recent run of success, as sometimes happens with other schools.

and then finishes with

Them's the breaks. Note that if either of the other bowls had first choice instead of the Fiesta, Oklahoma State would almost certainly be that choice. Also, if the Fiesta did decide to choose Boise, OSU would almost certainly end up in the Sugar.

Again, Michigan "blows all of those other teams out of the water in terms of fan base and marquee value".

So we got that going for us.

bronxblue

November 13th, 2011 at 9:02 AM ^

Let's beat Nebraska, then see what happens.  MSU has looked very beatable the past couple of weeks, and Wiscy will be looking for revenge if Sparty makes it.  I still think UM plays in a 3rd/4th B1G team bowl game, but who knows.  The name does carry well, which would help with at-large.

Maize and Blue…

November 13th, 2011 at 11:28 AM ^

and losing are different things.  We still need MSU to lose two for us to get into the Big 10 championship and one of their opponents is IU so I don't see it happening.  I also don't see the Big getting an at large bid with everyone already having two losses.  At larges will go to Bama, Stanford, and the loser of Okie St/OU.  Houston will get the other unless they blow it or the pollsters suddenly vote them down because they don't want them in the BCS. 

GRFS11

November 13th, 2011 at 9:24 AM ^

We are very very competitive with both of these leagues in Sagarin, despite everyone calling this a down year for us (which might be true, but still).  A couple good teams at the top (though we are less top heavy), lots of teams decently, and a coupel horrible teams.  It's a pretty fair match up.

M-jed

November 13th, 2011 at 12:56 PM ^

Yeah, that came to mind while I wrote my comment, but like stats, I used the info in my favor: ND played in AA and I don't know UM wins in south bend whereas both Iowa games were in IA and MSU had a strong win.

AMazinBlue

November 13th, 2011 at 12:03 PM ^

although we are about fourth in the B1G according to that site.  We should move up a little when their rankings come out later in the week.

After watching many games yesterday, I think an LSU-Okie St NC game would be very entertaining.   The mad hatter would pull some weird stunts and oSu would throw it all over the lot.  I'd definitely watch that one.   And I also see Wisconsin and MSU in the B1G title game and Bielema would do everything in his power to destroy and embarass the fighting narduzzis.

I would be rooting hard for Wisco in that one.  But if we win out and MSU's pride trips them up (twice) we could get a shot at the cheese farmers.

AMazinBlue

November 13th, 2011 at 12:13 PM ^

LSU will win the SEC and oSu will win the Big12.  If MSU wins the B1G then we'll only get one team in the BCS.   If MSU beats Wisconsin in the B1G Championship game then they will go to the Rose Bowl and get Stanford and Luck will tear that defense apart.

If Wisco wins the B1G then they might get Stanford in the Rose and that would be a slugfest.

Compared to the rest of the country, the B1G is way down and won't get 2 spots, except maybe because the the non AQs are not as impressive this year.   If Michigan was to Win out impressively and somehow get to and win the B1G Championship, that might be an interesting enough story to get the conference a second BCS game, but many things have to go just right (see Purdue and Northwestern) for us to get there.

If Michigan wins out, I see a Capital One Bowl against the third best SEC team, probably Arkansas and that could be interesting.  They are fast and play pretty tough D.

Volverine

November 13th, 2011 at 12:21 PM ^

I like the optimism here, but why do we want to play in a BCS game? I'm not sure we'd do so well against an Alabama (this year, we'll kill them next season), or Oklahoma or anyone like that. I'd rather play someone from the SEC in the Cap One Bowl and improve our national perception.

Look Up_See Blue

November 13th, 2011 at 12:40 PM ^

We want to play in a BCS game because it puts Michigan in the spotlight.  That means more $ to the athletic department.  The coverage would impress recruits.  And we are still battling for many of the top recruits in the country.  There's never any reason a team would NOT want to play in a BCS game.  

AMazinBlue

November 13th, 2011 at 12:23 PM ^

Our defense is looking good and the offense sputters way too often to compete with the better SEC teams.  We don't have the team speed to play with the upper echelon teams of the SEC YET.

TruBluMich

November 13th, 2011 at 2:16 PM ^

I will never understand why some people insist on Michigan can not beat any team.  I'm not delusional, I know Michigan is not the best team in the country, but given the choice between playing a team at Florida's level this year or a team at Alabama's level.  I want to watch the team play against Alabama, a loss does nothing, we were not supposed to win anyway.  Keep it close or win that game is far better than winning the Gator Bowl against a barely bowl eligible SEC team or even worst LOSING.