Phil Steele Pre-Season Rank: Michigan 12th

Submitted by Caesar on

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Is anyone else fine with this? I mean, beyond the whole 'pre-season rankings are meaningless.' Top 15, with Michigan's schedule, is striking distance for top 4 when it counts, especially with the Game to end the season. It'll allow the young guys and QB to get settled in and generally reduce the pressure (though I'm not sure Harbaugh is a fan of that). 

Iseeyou

June 27th, 2016 at 12:49 PM ^

Is one of the best. Michigan fans whining because OSU is higher is really sort of dumb. Let's not forget they just beat UM at home by 4 TD's, they have a blue chip player at every position, and they have a heisman finalists at QB. Last but not least they have a HC that is 50-4 in 4 years and has never lost to Michigan.

On the other hand Michigan is returning what should be a very good team, but until they actually prove something on the field against a top 10 opponent, they will only be seen as a team with potential, not much more.

SFBlue

June 27th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^

I wanted to neg you for the 'easiest schedule' in the Big 10 comment, but given the five home game start (the first three against UCF, Hawaii, Colorado), you could  maybe make that argument, even though Michigan plays home against Penn State and Wisconsin, and then at Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State. I would qualify that by saying 'easiest schedule' among potential contenders. 

 

A Fan In Fargo

June 27th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^

For all of the color blind mgobloggers, I'd like to point out that last years so called maize is not mustard. I encourage you to look at the color of mustard out of a bottle or the actual plant if you have that over there in Michigan. You'll find that your maize color from last year is actually more resembling of a dandelion yellow. Thanks and go blue.

Spirit of 69

June 27th, 2016 at 2:19 AM ^

I'm ok with it. Both O'Korn and Speight impressed me to varying degrees in the spring game, but the fact still is we have an unknown at the most important position on the field. Our defense looks to be fantastic, but we do have to replace an entire position group that was already lackluster. As great as our line and secondary are, we're going to be in trouble again against spread to run teams if we can't seal the edge. People point to missing Glasgow as the main reason OSU ran all over us, but the real culprit was our complete inability to seal the edge against their power read, because of our unathletic linebackers.

I think that we will come together, find our QB, and get some decent play from more athletic linebackers than last year's starters, but we haven't yet, and #12 is reflective of that.

San Diego Mick

June 27th, 2016 at 2:30 AM ^

because it had an all time great defense allowed the offense to find itself and be a consistent part of the team with a solid run game and a great game manager at QB in Griese who was originally a walk on.

This offense should be more talented and I have a special feeling about the defense, the sky is the limit IMO.

maizenbluenc

June 27th, 2016 at 7:25 AM ^

at the 'Bama teams, it seems like they have a first year quarterback each year (including last year's NC team). I think Saban prefers the safe - don't f it up - old man Rudock types. It's like dad doesn't give you the keys to the car until senior year in high school.

ElBictors

June 27th, 2016 at 10:10 AM ^

Hmmm.. I recall 14 but with so many polls, maybe some were lower.

Regardless, starting in the Top 15 and being MICHIGAN means all you have to do is win the games.

uminks

June 27th, 2016 at 2:32 AM ^

So who ever Harbaugh names as the starter will get some games to improve before we play sparty, Iowa and OSU. I do hope the LB play will improve. Otherwise, the D should be great this season. 2017 we may need a more of a high power offense, since we lose so many D starters.

Optimism Attache

June 27th, 2016 at 6:04 AM ^

I'm going to say it is nearly impossible to seal the edge against OSU without stacking the box and playing agressive against the run. We didn't even try those things, so not sure a more athletic linebacking group would have made a lot of difference. But I think I agree that #12 seems about right. Definitely not our ceiling, but a good starting point given the open questions.

ijohnb

June 27th, 2016 at 8:12 AM ^

could have last year.  I wonder if at any point Durkin left his email chain with the Maryland Athletic Department for long enough to watch how Michigan State defended Ohio State exactly ONE WEEK BEFORE!?!

ijohnb

June 27th, 2016 at 9:00 AM ^

that one.  I think you remember the one.  It was played at Ohio Stadium, a 3:30 game I believe.  It was right after we played Penn State.  Michigan State won on a field goal.  They played without their starting QB.  Ohio State took the lead in the 3rd on a short touch down pass, but that lead would not hold as the Spartans answered on the next possession.  It was Senior Day for the Buckeyes. 

Any other details that could help clarify exactly when, where, and what the game was in case any confusion remains?

WorldwideTJRob

June 27th, 2016 at 10:09 AM ^

For the last time...Bill Belichick, Vince Lombardi, & DJ Durkin's combined game plan weren't going to save us that game! Urban got smart and put the ball in Zeke's hand more. I hate OSU as much as the next guy, but they were better than us last season. The fact that they had 8 or 9 guys drafted in the first 2 or 3 rounds of the draft is some of the proof. Durkin was pretty damn good last year as a whole.




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