Baumgardner’s Projected Starters (Warning: Freep Link)
https://amp.freep.com/amp/583135002
Even for the ultra-pessimistic like me, it’s hard not to get excited about this team. There are definitely a couple question marks but we have some serious talent returning, especially on defense.
Already pumped for September. Go Blue.
For this season to feel like a success, personally, we rather need to beat both rivals or win the big ten east title for all the reasons you mentioned.
We lose alot next year. We have a bear of a schedule, but we have alot of good people. And to borrow a statement from harbaugh it's time they learn to win.
If we can just get a couple of things to go our way; decent pass pro. Not great, but decent. Good run blocking. Even just 'Good' QB play, with all of the skill positions practicing careful ball security.
So that, keep the defense off the field for some rest time, and this year could be amazing.
Those are big if's, but I thinkw e are close.
I don't want to think about what we're going to lose after this upcoming season, because you're right: it's a lot. And that's even more why this year has to be the year for results.
At least a few of the guys from Harbaugh's first real recruiting class will probably take off for the draft (Gary definitely, Bush possibly, Long/Hill possibly depending on the kind of progression they make), and then Winovich is gone, too. While I'm sure Harbaugh will still reel in some great recruits for next season, there is the fear that if this season ends in another disappointment (i.e. losing to MSU/OSU again, lose the other big statement games) we risk falling even more behind in recruiting.
eligibility up
Higdon
J. Wangler - fullback
Perry
JBB
Winovich
Mone
Marshall
Furbush
Watson
Kinnel
Hughes
I whink we'll be ok at RB and Perry isn't a huge loss
On defense the DL and Safety but we have tremendous depth there -
early departures?
Gary (say hello to Chris Hinton, plus tons of other depth
a CB (Long or Hill) - Ambry Thomas steps in
Shea at QB (time for the next in line to step up then)
Bush - we have great LB depth
basically, 2018 and 19 shouldn't have any holes, even with who we do lose after 2018
eligibility up
Higdon
J. Wangler - fullback
Perry
JBB
Winovich
Mone
Marshall
Furbush
Watson
Kinnel
Hughes
I whink we'll be ok at RB and Perry isn't a huge loss
On defense the DL and Safety but we have tremendous depth there -
early departures?
Gary (say hello to Chris Hinton, plus tons of other depth)
a CB (Long or Hill) - Ambry Thomas steps in
Shea at QB (time for the next in line to step up then)
Bush - we have great LB depth
basically, 2018 and 19 shouldn't have any holes, even with who we do lose after 2018
True, there is depth behind them, but it doesn't make the need to win now any less urgent. OSU isn't going anywhere as long as Meyer is around, PSU probably isn't going anywhere either, and MSU is going to continue being a thorn in Michigan's side as long as Dantonio is there. We've got to start winning those games to bounce back on the recruiting trail.
I'm not going to really rag on Harbaugh for one meh year. That much youth certainly played a part in the 8-5 record. But whether we want to admit it or not, recruiting has taken at least a little bit of a slide since last season went the way it did. We wouldn't have lost our top two recruits otherwise.
Now of course, you start winning big games next Fall and that all changes. But you end next season in third or fourth place in the division again, and you're in real trouble. We've got dudes now, but my point is you want to keep them coming for the foreseeable future. Next year really is make or break in my opinion.
But the good news for that is that Harbaugh has all the talent he needs to win next year. 2018 will likely be an even more talented team than the 2016 squad.
he went out on a limb or is really telling us something we don't already know about who will probably be starters. But, like you I am optimistic when I see the depth and talent we have next year. A tough schedule but we have the horses this year.
I remember the recruitment of Devin Bush well. I incorrectly assumed that Metellus and Gil were throw-ins to land the big fish. Now, all 3 of them could be starting this fall. That is remarkable.
let our pass pro be good. Not super, not elite, just good is perfectly fine.
The more I read about the spring, and think about the past few years, the more I think Mattison is a huge unsung hero.
I have heard from a few people that wariner is pretty fucking good.
He really went down the tubes fast. IIRC, he was once held in very high regard. He completely whiffed at Michigan. USC picked him up pretty quickly, albeit as a RB coach.