January 10th, 2012 at 12:40 AM ^
Michigan better have one hell of an offseason if they are going to compete in this game. If the offense looks anything like it did VS. VT and bamas defense looks anything like it did VS. LSU things could get embarrasing real quick. I'm hoping we come to play that Saturday and can be more consistant next year.
January 10th, 2012 at 12:41 AM ^
will be how much Denard can stretch the Bama Defense by throwing down field. Like Bama did tonight vs LSU, they are going to stop the running game, and force Denard to beat them with his arm. Obviously, that isn't one of Denard's strengths right now. It all depends on how much Denard can improve this offseason on his passing and reading Defenses...
January 10th, 2012 at 12:51 AM ^
It's just my humble opinion, I think we can be competitive, but if Bama stacks the box and stops Denard and Toussant from running then it may be time to start to start worrying. The problem with teams like both Bama and LSU, they're 1st stringers are tough, but it's their 2nd and 3rd strings that come in fresh and clobber teams late. That being said I know it's sacreligious to say this, but I kind of want to lose the bama and ND games, so we can put win #900 on State's ass!
January 10th, 2012 at 12:59 AM ^
Never want to lose to anyone, especially to Bama and ND, the win against MSU can be #902, I'd be fine with that.
January 10th, 2012 at 12:51 AM ^
Not many felt that we would end up 11-2 and a BCS Bowl Win. Many thought we would only win 7-8 games at most and wondered how we would ever be able to beat the Nebraska's and ohio's and ND's of the world.
Yet we did it and recruited like a motha and our future looks bright with great coaching, great facilities, great players and a great proud and confident tradition that intimidates others as well.
We are Michigan, this is Michigan! Who knows, maybe we'll do a mind meld on them or something.
January 10th, 2012 at 12:52 AM ^
September is almost 9 months away, a lot can happen to both teams, and is this not the same group of people who follow recruit rankings and scouting rankings and note how accurate (as in often wrong) they are in terms of on field performance both at a college and pro level?
You play the game and keep score to see who the better team is, and no amount of stats or recruiting stars or whatever mean a damn thing once the kick-off starts the game. In terms of being embarrassed, anyone recall the FSU game where we gave up 51 points, or the Northwestern game that we lost 54-51 to a team with a lot less star ranked players than we had. If football has taught anyone anything, it ought to be that it is the ultimate team game and you never know.
Go Blue!
January 10th, 2012 at 9:02 AM ^
I'll admit that the recruting class rankings are no guarantee of future success. But I did some research, and the average recruiting class ranking of the past 10 national champs (in their championship year and the 3 prior years, accoring to Rivals and Scout) is 8th.
Bottom line, if you don't consistently land top 10 recruiting classes you have very little chance at a NC (this is why MSU has peaked, they have only had 2 top 20 classes, 2003 which was followed by 3 straight losing seasons, and 2009, another losing season).
January 10th, 2012 at 11:09 AM ^
I'd say that if you looked at the loser in the BCS title game the last 10 yrs, they're recruiting class rankings are going to be pretty similiar. If you're playing in the SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and Pac-10 (and to a lesser extent the ACC) you better kick ass at recruiting if you want a shot at a NC.
January 10th, 2012 at 1:08 AM ^
Now we should duck the top teams and resign ourselves to losses 8 months from now? As if anyone can really predict what either team will look like next season. I sure hope none of the guys on the team feel that way... They shouldn't even have to read it from "fans".
January 10th, 2012 at 3:09 AM ^
Headline after M smashes Tide "Freshman DT Peewee Pipkins consumes Bama QB McCarran whole during a sack"..When asked about the gruesome play Ondre replied "Anything that fits through my facemask is fair game."
January 10th, 2012 at 4:14 AM ^
Bama is already losing a ton of starters on both sides of the ball to graduation. Tag along with that the I am sure will be large amount of Juniors joining Trent Richardson in the draft line, and we have what I think is a legit chance of winning in Jerry World.
January 10th, 2012 at 8:09 AM ^
Anything can happen, the same Michigan team that lost to Oregon and App St, beat Tebow and FL.
January 10th, 2012 at 9:07 AM ^
Has no bering on thread but....
January 10th, 2012 at 9:32 AM ^
Even with graduation and players leaving early for the NFL, Alabama's D next year will be as good or more likely better than VT's D was this year. Granted, Molk's injury made a difference, but if Michigan's offense doesn't show a huge improvement over their performance in this year's Sugar Bowl, the game will be ugly.
January 10th, 2012 at 11:05 AM ^
This year's team made me proud every week, and I am confident that Team 133 will be more of the same. Denard will continue to improve, because that is the kind of person and teammate that he is - extremely diligent and totally dedicated. Borges has shown the ability to improve QBs in the second year of his system, and Denard will be no exception. Toussaint showed incredible development as the year went along, and my money is on him being even better next year. Our O-Line will lose Molk (a big loss) but will have gained experience and will have new blood to replace Molk.
The Alabama game is certainly not a guaranteed win, but I would certainly not bet against our team, a team that seems to refuse to lose and to find a way to win.
Go Blue!
January 10th, 2012 at 11:07 AM ^
Unfortunately i dont see much of a drop off from trent richardson to eddie lacy. He is a beast.
January 10th, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^
Although nothing good would come from losing to Bama, nothing terrible results unless it's an embarrassing blow-out. Which is unlikely. And Bama, despite its fearsomeness, tends not to be a blow-out kind of team (unless you're from East Lansing). This year, aside from cupcake games, they really only ran it up again a couple teams. See this year's game against PSU. There's no question Bama was the superior team. But the score was something like 26-11. Next year they'll be as stocked as ever. But they'll be breaking in a new RB (Hart?) and new WRs.