Bring on the B10

Submitted by rbgoblue on

The first third of the season is in the history books, and how many of us were expecting Michigan to be 4-0 at this point a month ago? Talk about a great position to be in to start the conference schedule.

Where we stand now, a .500 record (something that should be expected, but certainly not taken for granted) gives Michigan an 8-4 record, while finishing above .500 makes us 9-3 or better. Why can that happen? We have a dynamic offense that can put up points in a hurry and a schedule that sets up very favorably (most of the tougher swing games are at home - MSU, Iowa, Wisconsin). Why won’t it? We haven't put together a product that comes close to resembling a defense, and we don’t have a strong track record in the B10 over the past 2 years (despite a 4-0 start last season too!).

Regardless, where we stand now, most people's pre-season predictions (mine included) of 7-5 or 8-4 (before a bowl win!) would probably be met with a hint of disappointment. We are close to being back Wolverine fans. The hot seat talk has cooled down and expectations are changing. Get excited and Go Blue!

Captain

September 25th, 2010 at 8:53 PM ^

Where we stand now, a .500 record (something that should be expected, but certainly not taken for granted) gives Michigan an 8-8 record

I think you mean 8-4, 16 game seasons start in 2032.

exmtroj

September 25th, 2010 at 8:57 PM ^

8-4 would be phenomenal with this defense; I personally am still sticking with my 7-5 pre-season prediction.  The defense will hurt more than most realize right now when we hit the conference.

6tyrone6

September 25th, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^

is worth at least 7-14 points per game this year in the B10 games. We lost a couple close games last year that we will not lose this year. Tate was hurt and DR wasnt a godd backup last year, that has obviously changed and will win us games. We lose maybe OSU, Wisconsin. Toss up MSU and win the rest, 10-2 or 9-3 even with our defense (which played well today and will get better every week this season).

Plegerize

September 25th, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^

7-5 is still the ceiling IME

It'd be rough going 3-5 the rest of the season, but as long as we're bowl eligible we can still get that 8th win which would sweeten the deal.

BiSB

September 25th, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^

So you're saying that the best case scenario from here on out is to beat Indiana, Illinois, and Purdue?  With no chance to beat MSU, PSU, Iowa, Wisconsin, or Ohio State?  Even though we're favored to win two of those games?

Wow, nothing like shooting for the stars.

Plegerize

September 26th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^

It may not be the ceiling, however I believe it's the target. I believe our offense is going to blow up our opponents in the Big Ten, they're gonna prove people wrong who think they can't last in the Big Ten.

The defense is going to be our (obvious) glaring weakness, and I just wonder how much our offense can really do to keep us in games if we keep having to go back to the well. Teams like Ohio State and Wisconsin are going to exploit that.

I like our chances in every game, trust me guys, I guess I'm just trying to be realistic and not set my expectations so high like I did last year. A little pessimism is a good thing. From here on out we could go 12-0 or 4-8, who knows, every possibility has to be accounted for.

rbgoblue

September 25th, 2010 at 9:31 PM ^

Lets talk about last year:

  • MSU overtime loss ON THE ROAD
  • Iowa loss on late interception before Denard evolved into a celestial being ON THE ROAD
  • Illinois epic meltdown ON THE ROAD

Not to mention all of these games came after our only QB (Tate) separated his shoulder against Indian (at which point we were 4-0, yes I remember last year).  You saw the qb depth today.  At no point did our offense click on the level that it has EVERY game this year.  There is no reason why 3 road games lost in the waning moments cannot become home wins when no team in the B10 can rival the improvement we have experienced on the offensive side of the ball.  7-5 is the floor, and believe it or not, the ceiling exteds as tall as 9 or 10 wins.

pullin4blue

September 25th, 2010 at 9:23 PM ^

What the hell have you been smokin' man? Yes, we have a good offense. I am confident that our O-line can dominate 80% of the teams we will play in the big 10. We will also put up more points because of our potent offensive scheme and our talented players. However, our defense will lose games for us. We have a very young, very porous defense and we will be picked apart by many teams in the Big 10. The only question is if our offense can score EVERY time they have the ball and if our defense can get a stop or two that puts us on top at the end. I think you are overly optimistic about our final record for the season. I hope I am wrong, but I don't think so.

6tyrone6

September 25th, 2010 at 9:43 PM ^

Tate was hurt, Denard was not a good QB last year. We have a great starter and best backup in the conference. We lost a couple close games last year that we do not lose this year and PSU will not beat UN this year. I still say OSU and Wisco are the losses. The defense will get better over the year, they are playing faster as a unit, they will give up points, but the O will score more. If the offense can gain yards on the ground and today was a good omen, that puts the D on the bench. The D wasn't that great last year, BG and DW and then what? The guys that are out there seem to be getting better, playing faster. MSU will be a test with a pounding running game, but PSU, Iowa and the lower end offenses aren't that dominant.

Louie C

September 25th, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^

Bring it on indeed. I am sick of the nonbelievers and Sparty fans saying that this team is not going to survive the Big 10 season. Yeah because the Big 10 is just soooooo loaded. Last time I checked, the road to the Big 10 title goes through Columbus, not Lafayette, Champaign, Bloomington,  or East Lansing.

harmon40

September 25th, 2010 at 9:32 PM ^

More reasons for confidence:
<br>
<br>• An electric offense gives you at least a chance in every game
<br>
<br>• QB depth - SWEET
<br>
<br>• PSU just squeaked past Temple. Purdue just lost to Toledo. MSU doesn't look any better on defense than we do. Iowa has had critical injuries at RB. Other B10 teams are vulnerable.
<br>
<br>RRod is not going anywhere. Whatever our defensive weaknesses, his offense is humming and he has 3 QB's that can run, one of them an early Heisman candidate.
<br>
<br>The fireworks have only just begun...

MGlobules

September 25th, 2010 at 9:43 PM ^

are much improved. We are in for some ELECTRIC performances from this offense in years to come and the D will get better. That said, I expect some tough, tough games are ahead of the team, and some losses, too. I just hope the naysayers and drunks can keep their cool when it happens. I predicted six-six; I don't think 8-4 seems unreasonable now.

Tater

September 25th, 2010 at 11:55 PM ^

I have been predicting 9-4 counting a bowl all along, so I don't see 8-4 as the least bit unreasonable.  If the defense improves a little, ten wins isn't out of the quesiton now.  I'm not saying that they will, but Michigan can beat anyone on the schedule.  

One thing that people don't seem to pay attention to is that having a "good" defense in the spread era isn't the same as having a "good" defense ten years ago.  Almost everyone is capable of getting three or four TD's a game now.  The days of the "hard fought 10-7 victory" are long gone. 

Would I like to see the defense improve?  Of course I would.  Do I think it will keep Michigan from winning five or six of their remaining games?  Not after today.

joelrodz

September 25th, 2010 at 10:37 PM ^

Heck, Stony Brook (yeah, didnt know they had a football team either) held UMASS to 26 points and lost 26-21. I am not going to compare this defense to last years but from what I am seeing through 4 games, giving up an avg of 400 yards a game, it's going to be a wild ride. Hold on tight.

Ty Butterfield

September 25th, 2010 at 10:50 PM ^

It will be a wild ride for sure. One thing about the explosiveness of Denard and this offense is that I don't worry if we get the ball inside our own ten yard line anymore. Denard provides a whole new element that defenses have trouble defending. I won't dare make any predictions. I am just going to hope that this team can keep piling up the points because we are going to need it.

diehardalum

September 25th, 2010 at 10:44 PM ^

Last year they put up alot of points and we barely snuck by them, so our defense will be challenged to say the least.  Never the less, if our offense plays well, we should have no problem out scoring them.  And yes...   I hate to say we have to out scrore them, but I believe we will have to put up a favorable number of points in order to win on the road.  However, every game that we prevail, the defense gets a little more confidence and experience and our teams gets that much stronger.  GO BLUE!!

dmcb32

September 25th, 2010 at 11:27 PM ^

Well, I have to say this was nice.  Hello all new to the blog as a poster, 2 year reader!  I love Devin, bit did anyone notice that the offense did not miss a beat when Tate was running it!  Denard is our superman but jeeeez, Tate can still take us to 9 or 10 wins!  the kid has played on game this year, his attitude has drastically changed and went 12-12 for 180+.  He had total command!  I feel great about this, three quarterbacks impressed and the best of them all played three series and gained around 160 yards of offense!  Given the competition I always tread lightly, but we scored 21 points with denard in (could have been 80 but you know....)  And ended with 65!  Great win!  Tate grew up and proved we can win with him!  I love it!  GO Blue!

M_Born M_Believer

September 26th, 2010 at 1:49 AM ^

That was my prediction before the season and I am looking at that as more of a floor now, not a ceiling....

IU...ummmm crappy defense, we'll hang 42+ on them and they will not keep up...

Sparty...Same comment, but it will be interesting to see Lt. Dan try and play keep away, but once you start falling behind you have to open it up.....

Iowa....Upset win here

PSU...I had this as a loss at the beginning of the year, now........hmmmm a toss up

Illini...win... enough said, they are going to be battling Minny, IU and Purdue for the bottom of the conference

Purdue....win, see comment above

Wiscy.....I had this as a loss at the beginning of the year and will stick to it....for now....

OSU...I really hate these guys (and who doesn't), but I have this as a loss.  It will take a magical Heisman performance to win this one......Oh wait, we have someone who can do that

Thats 4 wins, 3 "I feel better today than yesterday" and those guys.....

Black Kerouac

September 26th, 2010 at 3:30 AM ^

...I think 9-3, but a weird 9-3. Like beat OSU and Wisky but lose to Purdue 9-3. We're gonna have a chance to win EVERY game on our schedule, and lose most of them too. Damn, I really, seriously have never been so excited about a Big Ten conference season. Maybe 61% excitement, 30% fear, 9% emotion to be named later.

ixcuincle

September 26th, 2010 at 9:40 AM ^

Bring it on

There is NO excuse to lose to Illinois or Purdue yet again. Especially how badly Purdue has been playing, and Ilinois stinks every year. There are at least 3, maybe 4 (including PSU?) games that Michigan should handle and win

I don't expect them to beat Iowa, Wisconsin, or Ohio State, they might remain competitive with them but they won't beat them. But there is no excuse for winning 1 Big 10 game this year. Have to win more than that.

jb5O4

September 26th, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^

I think I heard the announcer yesterday mention we have 6 freshman on the 2-deep for our secondary. There's not a whole lot you can except in the first few games. Our def will only get better. But I say we go 8-4 then win a bowl game against an overmatched team.

stillMichigan

September 26th, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^

I think the biggest factor in our Big 10 success is going to be the motivation factor. We owe ALOT of teams some PAYBACK. This years' team is gonna play with a chip on their shoulder. There's gonna be a scent of blood in the air, and this year it won't be ours.