Winchester Wolverine

April 21st, 2018 at 9:08 PM ^

Do you regularly rub one out to Favre's Copperfit commercials? Him and Jerry Rice school a bunch of average Joe's in a good ole game of pick-up flag football in that one. Wholesome commercial but I'm sure you find a way to get the job done.

Joined: 01/07/2015

MGoPoints: 19166

Texas Maize Rage

April 21st, 2018 at 8:01 PM ^

Buddy, give it a rest. We all realize you think Favre is a top 5 QB. That’s your opinion. Others are entitled to their opinion as much as you are to yours. Not everyone is going to agree with you

Joined: 04/11/2018

MGoPoints: 180

It's Always Marcia

April 21st, 2018 at 11:43 PM ^

began with Dr questioning my opinion of a player? He cotinues to only present his opinion to me. I have linked to others who say Favre belongs ranked high, includining Athlon. Is Athlon wrong now?

 

And I haven't tried to stop him from having hios opinion. I didn't say only people that are sane, and have football savvy know what I know. 

Joined: 04/08/2018

MGoPoints: 908

goblue16

April 21st, 2018 at 5:00 PM ^

Notre Dame is not a barometer to determine how good we are and I expect to win this game. But the win won’t mean anything big picture I don’t think Nd wins more than 9 games next year. Our seasons and my judgement of the season is gonna come down to MSU and OSU.

Joined: 03/28/2010

MGoPoints: 17468

Jasper

April 21st, 2018 at 5:24 PM ^

If all goes well (for UM's ranking), it will be a repeat of 2006, when UM whupped an overrated team and spent the season way up in the polls. Of course reality intruded at the end of the season, but if they'd been truly elite they would've been well-positioned. (Better than being underrated and too far down in the polls ...)

Joined: 12/30/2010

MGoPoints: 3591

uminks

April 22nd, 2018 at 2:16 AM ^

ND DL is fairly good and aggressive. Our OL will have problems. If Shea gets to play, I think we will win. Being a road night game, I think i will be close.  M 24 - ND 20. If we lose we may be looking at another 8-4 season.

Joined: 11/10/2009

MGoPoints: 32053

MotownGoBlue

April 21st, 2018 at 5:07 PM ^

Meanwhile, UGA is playing balls to the wall in their spring game (1s vs. 1s, 2s vs. 2s, Isaiah Wilson is ginormous). We have serious competition for the best defense in the land. And shout out to Tom Crean, who just made a cameo appearance. I’m going to miss that guy as an analyst.

Joined: 08/09/2014

MGoPoints: 25350

skegemogpoint

April 21st, 2018 at 5:05 PM ^

ND will be a very good barometer. This will be their best team since 2012. 8 of 11 starters return on D, excellent K, though they lost a few weapons on offense and 2 excellent OL. Big test

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 503

Tyler1495

April 21st, 2018 at 5:20 PM ^

Their defense will be their strongest unit but its not as strong as people think. Purdue and Northwestern had better defenses statistically last year, and wimbush as their qb is going to be like playing a weaker version of JT Barett. As long as the offense doesnt commit costly turnovers michigan should win by 10+

Joined: 04/06/2018

MGoPoints: 2203

Hold This L

April 21st, 2018 at 5:31 PM ^

If we get mark may to stand on our sideline shaking his head is disapproval at everything ND does, as if he were still in studio next to Lou. He can still hear the whispers....
“Notre dame will win, and it won’t be close, I tell you what.”
“Jimmy clausen is the best qb in the country.”
“I don’t see a loss on ND’s schedule.”

Joined: 08/16/2017

MGoPoints: 3322

Geralt of Rivia

April 22nd, 2018 at 7:27 AM ^

“Norte Dame will win, and it won’t be closhe, I tell you what.” “Jimmy Claushen ish the besht qb in the country.” “I don’t shee a losh on ND’sh shcedule.” So glad we don’t have to hear his bullshit anymore.

Joined: 07/14/2017

MGoPoints: 96

pinkfloyd2000

April 21st, 2018 at 5:56 PM ^

A win at Notre Dame would likely fit the bill. ND might not be a terrific team in 2018 -- but, at the least, I'd say they are good for 8-9 Ws, right? Winning there to kick off the year would set the tone, regardless of how ND ends up doing.

 

Joined: 01/27/2009

MGoPoints: 18477

DrMantisToboggan

April 21st, 2018 at 6:07 PM ^

I agree with your basic idea, but 9 wins is on the outer edge of what's possible for them this year. Give them wins over Ball State, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Navy, Northwestern, Syracuse. Give them a loss to us. Nine wins would then require them to get 3 wins from @ Wake Forest, Stanford, @ Virginia Tech, Florida State, and @ USC. Nine wins for them this year would surprise me a bit. None of 6-6, 7-5, or 8-4 would.

Joined: 11/26/2014

MGoPoints: 74183

Wolfman

April 21st, 2018 at 6:43 PM ^

They'll always have a talented group, but I am not certain how experienced or talented that left side of the OL will be. I can see us in their backfield pretty much at will and their qb had better be ready to rid himself of the skin quickly. It better, however, be thrown accurately. For those of you who liked our defense last season, expect a better version that will be quicker due to nothing more than experience and confidence. They will be good; much better than even their no.2 from last season indicates. 

On the other side of the ball there will be measureable improvement for us and it'll be for the same reasons, growth thru experience. With the addition of Shea we'll be excellent at all skill positions, and yes I'm counting the RB position in there. Harbaugh's first recruited back will probably go for over 1200 - he's improved each year. The OL will help him. Talent there, especially on the inside will be a huge upgrade and again, the wr will produce greatly and for the same reasons; addition of two goods ones(one of whom showed flashes of excellence), a possible third, TE capabilities that include running like a wideout. 

I don't think either ND or MSU can make these claims and even though I like MSU's qb, i don't think he'll enjoy the complimentary assistance that we will and neither will enjoy a defense as good as ours. I don't know why we should lose to either, although each game should be contested into the second half for no other reason than who they are and the fact both have grown tremendously, as programs since around 07,08. They'll bring the fight but we're just going to be a little too tough for either to handle. 

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 8259

Wolfman

April 21st, 2018 at 7:03 PM ^

and it's possible I didn't include enough thought on that issue prior to making my proclomation. i was around for Harry Oliver, Eddie Brown raping Desmond in the end zone and Smoker tossing a TD pass after the game was over. You are right and always something to consider in closely fought games with these two. Hell, we've had strange wins against both in M Stadium so there's always the possibility of weird things lending themselves to the final score. 

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 8259

Rockne

April 22nd, 2018 at 1:37 AM ^

To answer your question the left side of the OL for ND should be plenty experienced and talented:

LT - Liam Eichenberg  Soph (RS) - 247 composite #80 recruiting albeit first year starter

LG - Alex Bars 5th Year Sr - 247 composite #109, three-year starter

C - Sam Mustipher 5th Year Sr - 247 composite #225, three-year starter

So you are assuming Michigan will get better through experience but ND will not? Based on what logic?

ND will has question marks on offense at the skill positions. Wimbush was awful in Nov, but acocunted for 30 touchdowns in 2017, more than all of Michigan's QBs combined. He appears to have regained his confidence this spring.

ND has two experienced RBs, Dexter Williams with one more carry would have led the country in YPC last year. Tony Jones also saw extensive playing time. Neither has been the lead back before, it remains to be seen if they can step up into that role.

Miles Boykin will be the top WR who torched LSU's secondary in the bowl game. Chase Claypool will be the most talented WR, but needs to get his head on straight. Michael Young is another promising WR who scored a TD vs. LSU.

The OL returns three starters, the two mentioned previously plus:

RG - Tommy Kraemer Soph (RS) - 247 composite #26, part-time starter at RT last year, moving inside to RG where he is a more natural fit

RT - Robert Hainsey Soph - 247 composite #84, split time with Kraemer at RT last year

Can get in more detail on the defense if you are interested in understanding your opponent. It won't be as good as Michigan but returns 8 starters from the #27 ranked defense by S&P+. We lost Mike Elko who was a great DC, but promoted his protege Clark Lea, so the system will be the same

Joined: 06/27/2010

MGoPoints: 49

Rockne

April 22nd, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^

Happy to do so.

I forgot to mention the TEs. There is a ton of talent there led by Alize Mack, 247 composite #1 TE in 2015. He was academically ineligible in 2016 and very inconsistent last year. He supposedly has had a great spring and can be a dynamic passcatcher if he realizes his potential.

The DL should be a strength of the team. Led by Jerry Tillery, a four-year starter who could have gone to the NFL last year. He's been moved to the 3-tech to allow him to penetrate more. ND's has struggled with their pass rush in recent years, the hope is Daelin Hayes and Khalid Kareem can provide that, both are very talented. ND did just lost Jay Hayes, who started at SDE last year and grad transferred to OU. Kareem was going to beat him out but he was a strong run defender and provided depth.

LB will be led by Te'von Coney and Drue Tranquill. Both delayed going to the NFL for one more season. Both were super productive last year, Coney in a part time role (he had 17 tackles in the bowl game). Tranquill is moving from Rover (hybrid LB/safety) to Buck (inside linebacker) where he will play in the NFL. Replacing him at Rover is an open competition with three very athletic candidates.

ND has five CBs coming back who have seen time. Julian Love is not the best athlete but set an ND record for pass breakups last year. Troy Pride should be the other starter, he's the fastest player on the team. CB should be a strength.

Safeties were the weak point of the defense last year, they didn't record a single interception! They looked much better yesterday. Alohi Gilman transferred from Navy but was forced to sit out 2017. He started at Navy as a frosh (had a big game against ND when they beat us in 2016). He'll start at SS and looks to be a playmaker. Jalen Elliott will be the FS. He missed a lot of tackles and plays on the ball last year, the hope is now in his third year at ND, second in the same defenisve system, he'll start to realize his potential.

Joined: 06/27/2010

MGoPoints: 49

PaulWall

April 22nd, 2018 at 8:32 AM ^

that looks like a very solid o line. one that could be just another in a long line of good ones. how do you think losing your o line coach is going to affect that? is his replacement any good? my thought is that if Michigan can keep wimbush in the pocket, it's to Michigan's advantage. he's a very good athlete. glad to get nd early, because i think by end of season, they'll be clicking.

Joined: 12/19/2017

MGoPoints: 2652

Rockne

April 22nd, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^

Good questions. Losing Hiestand is a blow. He's being replaced by Jeff Quinn, Kelly's righthand man at GVSU, CMU, and Cincy, who didn't come to ND originally when he took the Buffalo HC job. The fanbase was not happy when he was named the OL coach, the thought being we went with the familiar candidate versus the best candidate. He was an anlyst the last couple years in SB so got to see Hiestand work up close. He's been very complimentary of Hiestand and has described how he wants to continue to teach the same way. The proof will be in the pudding come the Fall.

Kelly forced Wimbush to play from the pocket yesterday knowing the best team's we play will do just that. If Michigan can shut down ND's running game, where Wimbush is at his best on the read option, then ND will really struggle to score points. Wimbush will need to be able to throw it from the pocket to beat Mich.

Joined: 06/27/2010

MGoPoints: 49

Tyler1495

April 22nd, 2018 at 1:14 PM ^

Notre dames recievers are going to be the key if they want to move The ball michigan will apply blitzes all game to stuff the run the big play oppurtunites with one on one coverage will be the key to the game

Joined: 04/06/2018

MGoPoints: 2203

Wolfman

April 21st, 2018 at 6:43 PM ^

They'll always have a talented group, but I am not certain how experienced or talented that left side of the OL will be. I can see us in their backfield pretty much at will and their qb had better be ready to rid himself of the skin quickly. It better, however, be thrown accurately. For those of you who liked our defense last season, expect a better version that will be quicker due to nothing more than experience and confidence. They will be good; much better than even their no.2 from last season indicates. 

On the other side of the ball there will be measureable improvement for us and it'll be for the same reasons, growth thru experience. With the addition of Shea we'll be excellent at all skill positions, and yes I'm counting the RB position in there. Harbaugh's first recruited back will probably go for over 1200 - he's improved each year. The OL will help him. Talent there, especially on the inside will be a huge upgrade and again, the wr will produce greatly and for the same reasons; addition of two goods ones(one of whom showed flashes of excellence), a possible third, TE capabilities that include running like a wideout. 

I don't think either ND or MSU can make these claims and even though I like MSU's qb, i don't think he'll enjoy the complimentary assistance that we will and neither will enjoy a defense as good as ours. I don't know why we should lose to either, although each game should be contested into the second half for no other reason than who they are and the fact both have grown tremendously, as programs since around 07,08. They'll bring the fight but we're just going to be a little too tough for either to handle. 

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 8259