BeatOSU52

August 1st, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^

Anyways, Michigan at #17 sounds right (I hope and expect them to be better at season's end but this is where I thought they'd be ranked pre-season).  Many will see that Michigan loses a descent amount of starters from last year, but of course those that follow Michigan closely see we are replacing those we lost with very talented youth that did get quite a bit of playing time last year for being freshmen or sophomores. 

Joined: 11/13/2011

MGoPoints: 14554

WingsNWolverines

August 1st, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^

right placement for us right now. With a lot of wins and consistency week by week we'll be in the top 5 by the end of the year! Just win! GO BLUE

Joined: 04/27/2011

MGoPoints: 587

Wolverines Dominate

August 1st, 2013 at 12:19 PM ^

Nah. There are still question marks on this team, but most of us think they will be answered as the season progresses. M has the potential to be a top ten team and will be if they keep winning (obviously), but preseason 17 is just about right.

Joined: 07/08/2013

MGoPoints: 778

vablue

August 1st, 2013 at 2:20 PM ^

I think this team ends up much better, but no way coaches from other schools should know all the ins and outs of how Michigan is replacing a large number of starters. Plus, even if we think the new starters will be great, they still need to earn it. Michigan is set up nicely this season to get whatever ranking they deserve based on how they play. Can't wait for the season to start!

Joined: 11/28/2011

MGoPoints: 6131

AdamVN1

August 1st, 2013 at 2:44 PM ^

According to the movie 300, Spartans live around a bottomless pit; that's what Leonidas kicks that dude into while shouting "This is Sparta!" 

The analogy was decent, but not completely accurate.  In real life, the Spartans LIVE in the bottomless pit of East Lansing, not just around it.

Joined: 03/02/2009

MGoPoints: 111

HipsterCat

August 1st, 2013 at 1:00 PM ^

undefeated last season, 2nd year under urbz usually very successful, soft big ten (at least based on last season). they may not be the 2nd best team at then end of the year but now it seems hard to put them anywhere else as all that points to around #2 behind bama.

Joined: 06/28/2011

MGoPoints: 2088

Chork

August 1st, 2013 at 2:17 PM ^

but it's really Bama and everyone else this year.  They could even lose a game in the regular season and still make the NCG, just like last year.  There is probably a lot of parity in 2-20 but everyone else is a step below them this year.  Of course, crazy stuff happens like injuries and the NCAA... so... you never know.

Joined: 07/23/2012

MGoPoints: 2050

bluenectarine

August 1st, 2013 at 1:22 PM ^

And I am serious.....this year's team will do the same thing....I have said it a few times and will again....QB DG will be one of the top 10 in the nation...the Oline with 2 great tackles and new studs interior will be very very good....RB will be great with green, Wrs will surprise and TEs will be exceptional...on defense, I think the line will be a big big improvement, James ross will be a stud and Countess will lead the secondary...I am SERIOUS...undefeated national champs THIS YEAR!!

Joined: 06/29/2012

MGoPoints: 497

bluenectarine

August 1st, 2013 at 3:52 PM ^

there are 3 positions on the interior OL...2 will be given to Kalis and Braden (superstuds), yes the center spot might be weaker than them, but I still maintain it will be better than last year's center...overall the 3 of them will far surpass last year and be one of the best in the B1G. In terms of TEs....excellent point on the "youth", but actually that IS MY POINT...I would rather play talented players who are young and inexperienced than experienced less-talented players....check out college sports today, in general experience doesn't matter as much as it used too (e.g. Manziel)

Joined: 06/29/2012

MGoPoints: 497

JimBobTressel

August 1st, 2013 at 12:35 PM ^

  • Junior QB ready to unleash his full potential
  • RB who was injured and in a slump last year, eager to prove himself this year
  • New receivers with high potential
  • All-world left tackle
  • A hungry defense eager to prove themselves, lead by an athletic DE
  • Overrated Notre Dame team to face early in the season
  • Weakened Big 10 to face
  • Media writing us off at a #17 ranking

 

Is this 2006 or 2013.....

Joined: 11/28/2010

MGoPoints: 4235

MGoVoldemort

August 1st, 2013 at 12:42 PM ^

There are 5-7 teams below Ohio that are better than they are. Rankings should not include a perceived weak schedule. PRE Season rankings should only covr strength of the over all team.

Joined: 07/08/2011

MGoPoints: 5294

DualThreat

August 1st, 2013 at 1:09 PM ^

Not confirming nor denying your first sentence, but you are absoultely spot on with...

"Rankings should not include a perceived weak schedule."

I'm amazed at how often people try to take schedule into account when debating rankings.  A ranking is how good a team is perceived to be, not how well the team is predicted to fare.

Joined: 05/04/2012

MGoPoints: 781

bluebrains98

August 1st, 2013 at 12:44 PM ^

Fun to talk about, but seeing the list of voters at the bottom of the poll just made me think...how much time do we really think these coaches have spent in the off-season paying any attention to other teams? The poll is more of a running average of success over the last 3 seasons or so. You'll notice the few "poll-crashers" from last year all dropped out. I have a hard time believing that Coach Hoke analyzed Northern Illinois, Vandy or Tulsa to determine whether or not they will have similar success this season.

Joined: 01/14/2009

MGoPoints: 7020

GoBlue007

August 1st, 2013 at 12:44 PM ^

That's a great spot to be in...clear pathway to being in the top 10 by week 7, when the BCS computers take over, and we get off to the strong start that we are hoping for

Joined: 02/16/2010

MGoPoints: 406