Implications of going above or below 7-5 this football season
As we're slowly getting closer to September 3rd, I'm starting to give more thought as to what's in store for us this season. Unfortunately, since we are only surrounded with questions until the first game, I'll share some of mine with you;
What is the 'meh' scenario for this season? 6-6. Obviously it could be worse. But to go below .500 this season I feel would result in...problems. I feel that there would be significant consternation from the alumni (fool me once, shame on you, etc.) While I wouldn't anticipate Coach Rod being fired, I would think there would be tremendous amount of anxiety among fans after anything worse than 6-6, since it is the door to lowered expectations for a few more years to come.
What is the "acceptable" scenario for this season? 7-5. Keeps the train moving and sets up for what seems to be, from this vantage point, a promising 2010 season.
And of course, anything above 7-5 would be awesome.
One last question though; what are the implications for next year's recruiting, between 6-6/7-5 and 8-4?
In my estimate, quite a bit. I feel that going 8-4 this season would be huge for recruiting in the 2010 class.
Biggest game this year? October 3rd against msu. I feel this will set the tone and expectations for the remainder of the schedule.
Thoughts?
Agree with you on 6-6, 7-5 being the realistic/acceptable expectations for this season. They are also "meh" outcomes in general. My biggest concern was keeping the 2009 recruiting class in tact following a 3-9 year which we obviously did. We won't go 3-9 again this year and I don't foresee any major recruiting roadblocks following a 6-6 year, especially coming off a 3-9 year.
Biggest game of the year? imo, the first one at home against western. We need to win that game and get off to a good start.
I pretty much agree with your post. 7-5 would be acceptable, I'd say good. People would be very happy with 8-4 and above. 6-6 would have some murmurs flying, not that they're warranted necessarily. Below that, there would be definite anxiety to win the next year.
As for MSU, I agree wholeheartedly. The team should be doing fine at that point and a road, in-state, rivalry game will be a definite turning pont.
I would not be surprised with 10-2. If we have another 3-9, I will kiss my own ass and post pics.
6-8 wins will, at the very least, give us (and potential recruits) some indications that the program is headed in a positive direction. A repeat of last year's debacle and it's a safe bet that our '10 recruiting class falls apart and the program will struggle to move forward.
the first game is on Sept. 5th
....7 wins is the benchmark that shows Rich Rod and Michigan are on the right track. What ifs, I know, are stupid and can be applied to any situation, but honestly, with a Coach Rod - style QB last year, Michigan would have won at least 6 games. There were only three games the team was decisively beaten in (tOSU, Penn State and Illinois), and each of those were contests as of halftime. Despite the growing pains, and a complete meltdown defensively on November 1st, Michigan was in a position to win 8 or 9 games last year.
Put fall 2009 Tate on 2008 Michigan, with moderate success based on what we've seen and heard, and we would have seen 8-9 wins. The hope is that Coach Robinson improves the defense and keeps the scoring down. If he does, this offense is good enough with the running game, and we should win the field position game with Zoltan.
I think a lot of people here are downplaying the team based on 2008. I think we're going to be pleasantly surprised by 2009.
6 wins (Western, Eastern, Indiana, Little Brother, Delaware St., and Purdue) has to be the baseline. 8 wins (Iowa and Wisconsin) wouldn't shock me with the talent base. 10 wins (Illinois and Notre Dame) is a stretch but could get done. Penn St., honestly, look at the talent lost - if Darryl Clark gets hurt Kevin Newsome is the QB is a longshot, and they have worse D-back issues than we do.
Let's be honest. I expect at least 6 wins, and if the team gets the breaks it didn't get last year, well, 8-11 wins. It's a stupid prediction and I don't predict it, but i do think it's a high end possibility if everything breaks right.