TheJuiceman

January 14th, 2015 at 12:39 AM ^

I agree that pre-season rankings hold too much weight, but how is every preseason ranking pointless? What if OSU had been ranked say, 24th at the beginning of the season and then lost to VaTech? Would they be champs right now? Probably not.  And March Madness. Seeding. It's kind of shady, but it matters. 

Joined: 06/15/2011

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Tater

January 13th, 2015 at 12:48 PM ^

Harbaugh will probably say publically that he "doesn't pay any attention to the rankings," but we all know that everyone on the team is aware of their ranking.  This is going to be yet another motivating factor.  This team has a great coach, plenty of very good players and the support a coach is supposed to get from the alumni and fanbase.  

I like the idea of Michigan as underrated.  It is a perfect way to start a season that may be seen as the rebirth of Michigan football.

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The Baughz

January 13th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^

I think that is a fair ranking. Harbaugh is a great coach, but it's hard to win without a proven qb. We'll see what happens. All Michigan has to do is win and the rankings will take care of themselves.

Joined: 10/08/2010

MGoPoints: 31923

The Baughz

January 13th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^

True...but I didnt say it was impossible, I just said it was hard. Also, Meyer's system is more qb friendly, even though I think Cardale could be a great pro-style passer. He's got the height, arm strength and enough mobility to avoid the rush. 

Joined: 10/08/2010

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alum96

January 13th, 2015 at 11:40 AM ^

Minnesota has to replace their top 2 guys in Cobb and Williams.  Going to be a challenge.

Gregory and Abdullah leave for Nebraska among others.   And new staff.

I think both those teams could come in more highly thought of than they prove to be, and I say that as a Jerry Kill fan.

Chryst gonna Chryst. 

PSU I do expect to improve.  Hack played splendid in the bowl and if their OL can just do what UM's did in 2014 - which is not to do great damage, he should be good to go.  And based on the 2013 UM OL to 2014 OL I would expect PSU 2015 OL to be on a parallel.  Their D will be solid.

Maryland and Rutgers also lose a lot of players; they had quite experienced teams last year.

They have Purdue at #14 - that's my sleeper.    In a relative sense. (i.e. 8th or so in conf)

Right now its MSU and OSU at the top.  Wiscy loses a lot of players actually but have a system so until displaced are #3.   Any # of teams could be land at #4 and #5 - Minn, UM, Iowa, Nebraska, PSU.

UM has to earn its respect back.

Joined: 04/28/2012

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alum96

January 13th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^

Prepare the faux outrage!!

Dudes we lost to Minnesota last year.  And Maryland.  And Rutgers.  We bring back essentially the same team minus the QB and best WR.   And 2 of the top 3/4 players on defense.  We have to prove it on the field.

From the outside looking in you'd see losses of NFL draft picks Funchess, Clark, and Ryan.  And then the 5th yr senior QB replaced by "IDK".

Basically we are Minnesota level until proven otherwise.

Joined: 04/28/2012

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west2

January 13th, 2015 at 2:58 PM ^

Saban has won because he has built a team that simply has better talent through oversigning and all the other methods detailed in the SI article that came out a couple of years ago and therefor took a year or 2 to acquire said talent.  Meyer acquires talent too but seems to get that talent to elevate their game much higher than expectation.  I believe Harbaugh will be more like meyer in getting more out of his players particularly at the college level.  I also think the NFL experience will be invaluable in neutralizing Meyers offensive schemes.  We will see, but I tend to be a bit more optimistic about a jump in wins next season better than would be expected based on this change in coaching attitude and aptitude.   Besides the underdog position is a much better place to be-playing to topple the favorite as opposed to playing not to lose as bucky will be doing next year with every team gunning for them.

Joined: 01/23/2011

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alum96

January 13th, 2015 at 11:48 AM ^

Ok we are clear #2 after OSU and probably by Nov will be better. 

I've joined the company line.

Now my analysis is far better.

I am just giving you how outsiders will view the team - they will see a team that lost some of its best players and replace it with guys UM fans will be high on but outsiders won't see them as being better than Ryan, Clark or Funchess.  Other parts of the team will improve as well.

But yeah let's keep it simple.  It's an outrage....

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ijohnb

January 13th, 2015 at 12:12 PM ^

I think the assumption is that some players will improve.  Perhaps 7th is more realistic than 2nd, but I also kind of find it far-fetched that Harbaugh won't have any effect.  I don't think it is unrealistic to think we will finish ahead of Minnesota next year, and yes, due to the fact that we have a much better coach than we did.

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alum96

January 13th, 2015 at 12:31 PM ^

I don't know who Minnesota's crossovers are but consider their division vs ours.  The 2 best teams are on our side so in theory UM could be equal to better than Minnesota and finish with a worse record (assuming Minn avoids both MSU and OSU).

I don't think anyone is saying Harbaugh won't have any effect.  But by August once camp hype is in full effect, we'll be hearing how he will walk across the Great Salt Lake before the Utah game! ;)

There is a clear gulf between the top of the conf and the middle.  This is just a click bait article and the difference between 5th and 8th in the Big 10 is probably 3 turnovers and 2 FGs over the course of 8 games.  Pretty meaningless.

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McSomething

January 13th, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^

No, we're on the road that game. They get Nebraska at home, a week off, us at home, then at Ohio State. Colorado State, Northwestern, Purdue, Ohio State, and Iowa is their road schedule. Iowa is also the week after Ohio State. So it looks like the Nebraska to Iowa strech may make or shatter them.

Joined: 09/29/2010

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True Blue Grit

January 13th, 2015 at 11:37 AM ^

Don't pay any attention to it.  Harbaugh and his staff will get the team far better than that.  These imbeciles at ESPN and elsewhere in the national media seem to think we are completely lacking in talent.  Harbaugh will show them that this couldn't be further from the truth. 

Joined: 01/21/2011

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sasmjjsly

January 13th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^

Until we lose our first game, I say we run the table. The talent is there and Harbaugh will have a QB ready. Just remember, Notre Dame did the same thing with Everett Gholson a couple of years ago...and no one saw that coming.

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