What's your record prediction for Michigan in 2018?
For me it's 9-3 (7-2):
L - @ND
W - WMU
W - SMU
W - Nebraska
W - @NW
W - Maryland
L - Wisconsin
W - @MSU
W - PSU
W - @Rutgers
W - Indiana
L - @OSU
I'd code @ND, Wisconsin, @MSU and PSU as "high level of uncertainty" games. So we could go 4-0 across that stretch or 0-4, but I don't see either as very likely. More likely we go 3-1, 2-2 or 1-3. Nebraska is another one that would be tricky, if it was a road game, but it's at home so I'm not too worried.
and say 11-1 and we win the B1G and finish ranked #3.
Beat #2 Bama to end up losing to Clemson in the title game because why not?
with a beatdown of some tomato can in the bowl.
FireJimHarbaugh.com gets put up before the new MGoBlog site makes its appearance.
I mean, I look at that schedule and it isn't terrible. It's a road game against ND versus a home game against Colorado, but otherwise it's 2016 all over again. Hell, SMU isn't probably as good as UCF. And no trip to Iowa, which helps.
People keep forgetting that Michigan was a handful of plays away from undefeated in 2016 with basically the same schedule. Obviously different seasons and teams, but it's not like they haven't played basically this same schedule before and nearly run the table.
in all likelihood:
@ND >> home CU
2018 MSU >>>> 2016 MSU
2018 PSU > 2016 version of PSU that played M with no LBs
2018 Maryland >> 2016 Maryland
2018 Rutgers > 2016 Rutgers (have to be, right?)
2018 Neb >> 2016 UCF (see what I did there?)
And there's not a single game that projects to be easier than 2016.
@2018 NW = @2016 Iowa
@2018 OSU = @2016 OSU and that's generous considering how poorly 2016 OSU played down the stretch, they could be a lot better this season.
Hawaii = WMU, whatever
Wisconsin = Wisconsin
IU = IU
SMU = 2016 Illinois
6-6 or 7-5 with this schedule.
Hoping they end up way better but our offense last year was absolutely attrocious and the biggest culprit was the O-line, of which we lost 2 starters from last year.
Our QB play and WR play should be better, but if our tackles are turnstiles it won't matter much.
Until I see much better play on the field I will be pessimistic.
Michigan has one loss, to Ohio St, but wins the National Championship?
#1: lose opener on an epic, full-on "horseshoe up leprechaun's ass", 2 Kick return for TD, last minute hail mary from the endzone completed with a toe-drag 2 minute delay on review controversial , still hit the 52 yard field in a swirling wind.
#2: When the "rivalry" record hits 1-6 an auto immune response will be triggered in the more unstable parts of the fanbase, they will start jumping off the ship like rats thus lightening the stress on the band wagon: the team will "tune out" the outside noise and "steel their spines" with the US vs everybody attitude in route to the next 11 wins, including a glorious stomping of OSU in Columbus (Where Kirk Herbstreit announces on Game Day he is moving to Ann Arbor so that he and Desmond can become neighbors PLUS a player gets to tbag Jeremy Ruckert, literally! [and i'm talking full on ripped uni, danglin' from the strap])
#3: Controversy ensues when a 12-1 UofM is ranked higher by CFC than a 12-1 Ala. because OSU was ranked #2 and Bama beat a 12th ranked Fla team in SEC champ), setting up a potential UofM and an undefeated ND in the CFP and the "dreaded" rematch senario (that SEC fans always used to think was just fine if they're 2 of 4 best teams.
(Choose you're own path:)
#3a: Pressure puts an SEC team in; ND goes to CFP, UofM goes and clobbers someone by 30 in the Rose Bowl. Cali recruiting 'splodes!
#3b: SEC in; UofM goes, beats Clemson, comes up just short against Bama, Cali recruiting 'splodes!
#3c SEC out; UofM/ND both go, UofM beats Clemson and ends the season avenging the loss to ND for the ship! Cali recruiting 'splodes!
#4: Cheer!
9-3.
I get that we were only halfway decent quarterback play away from 10-2/11-1 last year and we return just about everyone plus hauled in a dynamite quarterback... but we don't seem to be allowed to have anything nice in this sport so I'm reluctant to predict better.
Logic says 10-2/11-1.