Vegas win totals: Michigan 9
Las Vegas bookmakers officially set the bar for win totals for each team, and surprisingly only 2 teams will have 10 or more wins.. Those being Alabama (10.5) and Ohio St (10).
They have Michigan pegged in at 9.
Other notable B1G teams:
Wisconsin (9.5)
Penn St. (9.5)
Michigan St. (6.5)
Honestly surprised at the predictions for PSU and Wisconsin.
OVER.
Heavy.
I'd take it. 9 wins with a reloading team is solid.
EDIT: Apparently somebody is very unhappy about predicting less than 82 wins.
Don't want to hear about reloading. If JH is as good as we all think he is, and this program is truly back, these "reloading" years don't happen.
It's Year 3 in this system. 9 wins would be a step in the wrong direction.
Would osu fans settle for 9 wins in year 3 of urban and 3 straight losses to Michigan? Why should we expect anything else?
Michigan fans have this ridiculous tendency to make excuses a year in advance before things even start.
I know, I know, I can't say things like this. But it's easier as an outsider.
You're right that Michigan should expect better. We should be in contention for the CoFoPo every year. We're Michigan, fergodsakes.
Here's the probelm: Meyer essentially inherited a National Championship caliber program from Tressel. Yes, there was one lousy year of Luke Fickell's coaching, but their recruiting never skipped a beat (#4 recruiting class in 2012) and the culture did not have time to change. Meyer had a more talented roster than any team in the B1G in his first season, and the gap was large. He also had a Heisman Trophy caliber QB.
Harbaugh inherited a program that not only had a talent deficeit (especially on offense), but had also lacked some vital coaching fundamentals and the right culture. Furthermore, the team had a severe deficiency at the game's most important position (QB) that we are still digging out of. RB and OL weren't much better. It's borderline miraculous that he was able to turn the ship around so quickly.
What I'm saying is that the comparison is invalid. Hell, Urban Meyer went 9-4 in his third season at Florida. Nick Saban went 8-5 in his third year at LSU, and 10-3 in his fourth year at 'Bama. If you think Michigan was any better off than those Florida, LSU, or 'Bama teams, you're crazy.
Hate to be a buzzkill, but I think even in the best-case scenario we top out at 79 or 80.
Per S&P+ OSU ~10.5, PSU & UW ~10, M ~9.
I didn't realize that Indiana and OSU play opening weekend.
MSU being an underdog at Northwestern is really funny.
Hard to argue with most of those probabilities. I think Harbuagh and the talent level are good enough to sneak an extra win from the PSU, Wiscy, OSU bunch, but if I were Vegas (and not a UM fan) I think 9 wins is exactly right--not 9.5 and not 8.5.
Folks on this board are drastically underestimating the difficulty of that PSU road night game. PSU is significantly better than Iowa was last year. Road night games are brutal.
When I watched Wisconsin lose 63-0 to osu in a championship I thought maybe the morons would realign the division. That is just plain embarrassing to the big ten.
I would trade one win for a guaranteed win against OSU (and MSU.) In other words, I would rather have 8 wins and beat the Buckeyes and the Spartans, than 9 or 10 wins and a loss to the Buckeyes. I want that monkey off Michigan's back, and I want Michigan to inflict pain and bring them down a notch. And I think it could help with recruiting as well.
that one jumped off the page the most. I guess they're missing a whole bunch of players from their 2016 team?
UNL's schedule - the 35K foot view:
Home games, more likely a W than an L (3) - Ark State, NIU, Rutgers,
Home games, could make a case for a W or L (3) - Wisconsin, NW, Iowa
Home games, more likely an L than a W (1) - Ohio State
Road games, more likely a W than an L (2) - Purdue, Illinois
Road games, could make a case for a W or L (1) - Minnesota
Road games, more likely an L than a W (2) - Oregon, Penn State
Again, I think it's a case of recent trends mattering.
Badgers have won 4 in a row and 5 of 6 against NU, Hawkeyes have won 3 of 4. Northwestern also owns a winning record against the Huskers in Lincoln since they joined the conference (2-1; although the Huskers are undefeated in Evanston).
All three of the "either W or L at home" teams from your list have a winning record in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln since NU joined the Big Ten, so I think it's fair to assume that 1-2 or 0-3 is more likely in that stretch for Nebraska than 2-1 or 3-0.
they have definitely under-achieved vs. Wisky, Iowa, and Northwestern (?!?) since joining the B1G.
If I'm a bettor though, I still take the over. My logic is: "If they simply sweep Ark State, NIU, Rutgers, Purdue and Illinois, all they need is one win over anybody and I'm guaranteed to at least not lose my bet."
@Wisconsin
@Penn State
Vs OSU
Neutral/ Florida
are all very tough games. If I had to guess, I'd say we split those 4.
Probably beat Florida, and honestly I'm starting to convince myself we beat OSU this year. It's a home game, and the talented young guys should progress. (I should mention that I'm very dumb, and always convince myself that we're going to win, despite literally seeing 1 victory over them in my rooting career)
We need to be last years Penn State. Over achieve like a motherfucker.Beat OSU. Win the BIG. If Penn State could do it last year we can do it this year
I'll take the over.
Hate to say it, but 9 seems right. I just don't like us in the Florida game, and it is hard not to lose at least 2 more games with that schedule.
I will take the under at 8 wins, possibly a push.
Losses- Florida, @ Wisky, @ Penn State (dreaded night game), and o$u. Until I see a win against o$u (luke fickell doesn't count) I will automatically assume this is a loss. We are going on 15 years here, people.
You're a cute little troll, aren't you?
Only trolls call other people trolls. You have way too much time on your hands. Let me guess, you think we're going 15-0 and winning the national championship. And you've been telling yourself that for.... how long now? Just because some of us are realists and give realistic predictions doesn't make us trolls. Anyways, I've already given you more attention than you deserve, so off you go.
"Did these guys forget who our coach is?"
I know who our coach is. And I'm thrilled. But, like I said. I'll believe it when I see it.
Has to be beat osu. Nothing else matters.
GO BLUE!!
Michigan wins 10.
I would be astonished if JH allowed Michigan to lose at PSU this season. I can tell you that one of those 9.5 wins will not be against Michigan.
Wisconsin will get 10 wins.
MSU wins 5 at best.