Where's My Straightjacket

Submitted by Meeechigan Dan on

I told jamiemac this evening that I didn't have time for a post to my blog. Given that I have exactly none so far this year, that is stunning news. However, after rereading several Internet previews of Michigan, I got irritated and banged out some insanity. Due to a couple graphics, I reproduce a paragraph here as a tease. 

The Bears are obviously fixated on Michigan’s denuded offensive line and walk-on quarterback, areas of concern, certainly. But let’s put Lloyd Carr back at the helm and add back Ryan Mallett and Justin Boren along with one or two other beefalo lineman who threw in the towel after their third Barwis sprint. SI and others would then be typically Bullish on Michigan, citing their seasoned defense and five-star QB before bestowing a top 25 ranking on the Wolverines. Excuse me? Boren, Mallett and Lloyd Carr do not elevate this current squad from 54th to the top 25. Yet, in the Lloyd Carr version of 2008, pundits would place Michigan in a more traditional pre-season slot citing better athletes, a stout defense and the simple fact that the schedule features largely inferior competition. They would grumble and mumble that Michigan is overrated, but they would never drop them down amongst the unwashed.

http://www.logictimes.com/Blue/Wheres-My-Straightjacket.htm

Comments

chitownblue (not verified)

August 29th, 2008 at 9:38 PM ^

No offense, Mdan, but you've constructed quite the Strawman here. I'm not sure anyone is arguing that Lloyd, Mallett, and Boren would make this a 9 or 10 win team. If you saw the thread on these boards titled "where would be with Lloyd?" everyone pretty much thought that we'd be looking at 6-8 wins, with little brightness in the future. Would the media rank us? Sure, but the media is made up of people who call asshats like Jay Marriotti and Drew Sharp "colleague".

So, essentially, you've created a hypothetical "SI and other would then be typically Bullish on Michigan", and then railed against it.

I'm not trying to be overly argumentative, or even a dick. Merely pointing out an observation.

Oh, and remember, we're rated #24 in one of the polls, so it's not like we're being universally condemned.

chitownblue (not verified)

August 29th, 2008 at 9:38 PM ^

motherfucking drupal eating my paragraph breaks and making me write like a serial killer.

Meeechigan Dan

August 29th, 2008 at 10:02 PM ^

You are correct, chi, on that point. It is a bit of bait and switch. While my prediction is actual wins and losses, the observation about the unnatural preseason drop in regard for Michigan football holds true: this team, IMO, will not be worse than a Lloyd Carr team without the attrition.

Catie

August 30th, 2008 at 12:45 PM ^

The Saragin rankings (which of course is the "computer rankings" of the BCS) has Michigan at #11. I am sure many will balk at this (due to the extreme dislike for all things BCS) however I have a feeling that Michigan might prove this ranking justified after the season. I agree with you guys, a Lloyd team that hasn't had the attrition that has happened would not be a better team than what we have now. I am excited to see this team and I am on my way to the stadium now! GO BLUE!!!!