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.
It would also be kind of interesting.
Was that 92? Seems like it was in the 80's. Anyway I remember some announcer saying that "9-0-3 isn't a record that's an area code!"
This defense is going to be hard to score on and we'll put more points on the board with hopefully better QB play and more experienced offense. But, tough schedule. Expect some close hard fought games that could go either way.
I think 9-3 is moderately more likely, given the schedule, but 10-2 seems fairly plausible to me.
Obviously would prefer 12-0 :P
The Defense will not allow a touchdown drive when the opposing offense starts a drive on their side of the field.
I of course am probably going to be wrong, but this is my "the knowledge like prediction. . . Yes
I agree with you. this defense is something special, but it seems like there is always some BS game like Iowa a couple of years back that just screws up the season.
10-2. I expect a very good season and team, but that schedule is brutal and it will be tough to come out of it without at least 2 L's. Think we do win a big bowl game and end up 11-2 and ranked around 6-8 at end of year.
please let them be Wisconsin and Northwestern. Sweeping ND, PSU, MSU, and OSU would be glorious. Oh, and the other rival, Rutgers. /s
but my mind says, TURNED DOWN FOR WHAT!?
Keep this party rollin' 'til Santa Clara!!!
With our sacraficial lamb being we lose to dickhead Scott Frost on his first try. Reason I'm going this route is because nearly every national champion in the Playoff era has had a head scratching home loss at some point in the season
Scottie doesn't have a whole lot of talent to work with and the game is in A2. I think it's more likley they get us next year in Lincoln.
Can you imagine a Don Brown defense with a competant offense? My God. Seems like we could have shut a lot of people out the past two years if our offense was able to get a first down or two.
I'm hopeful that Hudson, JBB, Filiaga or even Newsome show up and Harbaugh be like:
Except that we actully blow up the other teams and don't mess around with any Ewoks.
That's hard for me to envision, but I can easily picture a competent offense.
Wow, Drew Henson is coming back?
Oh, generation. Wow, I'm old.
soon
and that's pretty close to a coin flip as well. That's why the fancy stats expect us to win about 8.5 games (five coin flips, one likely loss and six near gimmes).
So naturally I predict 11-1.
I'd say 6th:
1.) @OSU
2.) @MSU
3.) @ND
4.) Wisconsin
5.) PSU
6.) @NW
Keep in mind that despite some of the insane predicitons of Clayton Thoresen going in the first round of the NFL draft, he suffered a torn ACL in the bowl game and is still a question mark to play this year. They could end up being a bit of a tire fire, NW tends to mix in a 6-6 season here and there between 9 and 10 win years (and 6-6 is pretty bad for a team in the B1G W). I wouldn't be too shocked if Maryland was much improved this year, assuming they have a QB healthy, but they will probably still have a bad record being stuck in the B1G E.
Based on schedule I'm hoping for 10-2. If there are two losses I'm hoping for @ND and Wisconsin - we would still make the B1G title game and would have a real shot at a playoff slot if they "avenge" the loss against Wisconsin at a neutral field. Any losses against a B1G E opponent probably knocks us out of the B1G title game
and 5th near coin flip game.
2-10.
I can't suffer another loss to sparty shitheads.
As unpalatable as that may be, losing to OSU again is all that much worse.
“More of the same” offense from last year and we go 8-5 again
Brand new “where did that offense come from?” And we are 11-2.
The boards faith in a few offseason practices is a real head scratcher.
Second reason: Shea Patterson
Third reason: Shea Patterson
Seriously though, I agree that our HC and passing coordinator generally did a terrible job last year with offensive coaching, but they didn't have much to work with, and that should change this year save for the OT situation. I also have some faith that they'll learn and adapt from last year and come out with a newish offense (RPOs anyone?).
of Jim McElwain being involved with the offense? He may be what saves the offense from 9TD Hamilton.
You did know Jim McElwain was Nick Saban's offensive coordinator when he won his first National Championship at Alabama? And Alabama won 3 National Championships in the 5 years Jim McElwain was the offensive coordinator there?
Nussmeir was teamed with Brady Hoke... You don't win at offense under Hoke.
Built that offense. If you look it up, you'll see it began to drop off from Nissmeier coaching the offense. I will not credit anyone for the offense but Jim McElwain in that National Championship.
Hamilton wasn't the one missing wide open receivers.
I'll give you several reasons:
Shea Patterson
Ed Warinner
Jim McElwain
Black/DPJ
Don Brown
Winovich/Gary
I loved that analysis Brian put out when we first got him.
Year three whereever D. Brown has been. Even Boston College, #1 defense in the nation.
Now you hear coaches saying, these are the fastest players they've ever coached.
this year is gonna be special.
We’ll play Clemson and fall in the college football playoff.
11-1 regular season, win B1G championship game, lose in first round of playoffs, so 12-2, actually.
BTW - What's with posting at 5:21 AM? You can't be a student (don't think). I thought all students went to sleep at 4 AM or 5 AM. Late shift? Maintenance window gone bad?
This team has potential but it’s going to take an incredible level of dedication, preparation, and luck from now until the end of November to have a strong season.
There are 6 games that are toss-ups (nd, msu, psu, osu, wiscy, nw) with an uncertain WR corps, a weakness on L side of OLine,& a brand new qb.
OP is correct, potential exists to go 0-4 vs ND & that Wisconsin/sparty/psu cluster. Taking those 4 losses spread out over their 6 toughest matchups seems more likely, however it breaks out.
8-4 heading into a bowl game seems reasonable.
Beat the Irish & work out rough spots over the next 2 & they could be 7-0 heading into ELandfill... But that scenario is Best Case & they're still likely to be 10-2 watching the B1G championship from home. BEST case.
Still a year away, IMO