tomer

October 23rd, 2016 at 4:58 PM ^

The more I watch this team the more I'm convinced that it is championship caliber. All college teams have weaknesses but Michigan's seem smaller every weak.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 05/10/2011

MGoPoints: 4075

1974

October 23rd, 2016 at 7:41 PM ^

I'd suggest that a reasonable comparison could be made after the season. No need to wait five years ...

I think "next-level" talent does matter, though, and the '97 team had it all over the field. There weren't any obvious weak spots (unlike, say, the secondary outside of Leon Hall in '06).

As far as this year is concerned, I don't think Michigan is at Alabama's level. Wilton is just OK as a QB and our offensive line would be very challenged against an elite front seven. As well, a team that went "five wide" with a good QB could probably complete passes against the guys not covered by Lewis and Stribling.

Joined: 04/17/2011

MGoPoints: 7799

MJ14

October 23rd, 2016 at 8:10 PM ^

Alabama's starting QB is just OK too, they just happen to have one of the best wide receivers in the country. Jourdan Lewis would be able to mostly keep him in check though. If Bama tried to spread Michigan out, the defensive line would eat Bama up.

Joined: 01/09/2011

MGoPoints: 16376

doggdetroit

October 23rd, 2016 at 9:17 PM ^

If we compare the two right now, in my opinion, the only position group on the current team that I would definitely take over the 97 team is defensive line, which is much deeper than 97's even though it still produced 3 NFL players. I think 97 had the superior secondary. Woodson is obvious but 4 other players from 97's secondary made it to the next level. 97 has the edge at linebacker.

On offense, Griese was the better quarterback. The 97 offensive line was better. I would also take the running backs on 97 over this year's group. WR/TE is probably a draw even though 97 produced 5 NFL WRs/TEs. Looking back, Michigan played so conservatively on offense that's it's hard to forget how much talent that team had.

The 97 team had Woodson returning kicks, which is a wash with Peppers returning kicks. Jay Feely was 97's kicker and he went on to a long NFL career. Maybe Kenny Allen goes on to similar success but right now I would take Feely.

Joined: 09/05/2015

MGoPoints: 2337

BraveWolverine730

October 23rd, 2016 at 8:27 PM ^

I would 100% flop your offense and defense projections. Until this defense gets through OSU I don't think you can say it's an all timer. Additionally, that 97 offense wasn't that good. I'm too lazy to go through and rank them all, but I'd bet it'd be in the lower half of Carr's offenses at UM actually. I really think people are underrating how good this offense is. We're not going to march up and down the field 85 yards every time, but there are playmakers everywhere. I'd bet more skill position guys from this offense end up in the NFL than the 97 one. 

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 4188

doggdetroit

October 23rd, 2016 at 9:33 PM ^

Michigan played so conservatively on offense that it's easy to assume that the 97 offense was lacking in playmakers,  but that was more a product of Carr's philosophy. Here is the breakdown of the skill position players who made it to the NFL from the 97 offense:

2 WRs (Tai Streets. Marcus Knight)
3 TEs (Jerame Tuman, Aaron Shea, Mark Campbell) 
5 RBs (Chris Howard, Anthony Thomas, Chris Floyd, Clarence Williams, Ray Jackson)
3 QBs (Brian Griese, Scott Dreisbach, Tom Brady)

Granted, some of these guys didn't have much of an impact on the 97 team but it does show the talent that was on the roster. It is possible the current offense produces more NFL skill players though, only time will tell. 

Joined: 09/05/2015

MGoPoints: 2337

Mr. Yost

October 23rd, 2016 at 7:55 PM ^

Bama's defensive has no weaknesses.

We're very similar actually.

Both teams play to a "average to above average" QB's strengths by using the playmakers around them.

Both defenses are all-time good.

Michigan's running game was behind Bama, but it's by far the most improved position on the team if you ask me.

I'm not over confident enough to say we're better than Bama, and if we don't bring our A-game we're not going to beat Clemson or Washington.

But the fact that we're in the mix and steady improving is enough for me.

Like I said this morning, I don't think people realize we have a full MONTH to improve and keep getting better. Think about where this team was a month ago.

Scary, ain't it?

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

October 23rd, 2016 at 11:55 PM ^

Our defense has weaknesses if you want to nitpick...just because it's the best defense we've had in 10 years doesn't really say anything. BTW...you should check the stats. Every defense is going to have a weakness if that's how you want to look at it. I can say we expose ourselves to get RPS'ed when we blitz, our LBs (Bolden) aren't great picking up RBs out of the backfield on wheel routes, our safeties give up the occasional big play. But are we REALLY going to complain about that? Thats like saying Tom Brady isn't elite because he doesn't run for a lot of first downs. It's just stupid and you'll take it if THAT is the weakness.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

FauxMo

October 23rd, 2016 at 5:02 PM ^

I agree these are gutless, dumb exercises, but actually one of them has Clemson playing Alabama, not us. So they aren't quite as bad as the chick in your office who fills out an NCAA bball tourney bracket with every higher seeded team advancing, and the overall #1 seed playing the second #1 seed in the final game....

Joined: 06/17/2010

MGoPoints: 137563

Sledgehammer

October 23rd, 2016 at 5:03 PM ^

If/when we make the CFP, I like our chances a lot. When Harbaugh is given an extended amount of time to prepare, he is really good. Look how much better Speight looked after the bye-week.

Joined: 09/05/2011

MGoPoints: 11289

Sledgehammer

October 23rd, 2016 at 5:09 PM ^

Has anybody ever looked at a bowl sponsor wtih their name in the bowl name and then thought to themselves, "hey, I now want to use that product/service"? I hate how ridiculous the names have become.

Joined: 09/05/2011

MGoPoints: 11289