SI Releases Pre-Season Top 25 w/ Michigan Preview

Just before football season starts, it seems that I can never resist reading any article/preview on Michigan football. Most of the time it's all the same as far as previews go, but I loved the personal emphasis in this article - specifically the Roh piece. That was great reading. Definitely worth the time.

Especially not the "food allergies" thing where they don't cause an allergic reaction. However, it's great to hear that Roh has seen a big transition in his body, whatever the cause, and I hope he has the energy, mindset and technique to separate heads from shoulders this year.

Interesting segment about Roh's allergies. I wonder if that's what his blood type diet is about or is that something different? Also, interesting they chose RJS as the freshman to highlight. He doesn't really stick out as an impact player this year given our depth at LB and needs elsewhere (OL, DL, WR).

This article and the earlier countdown to kickoff video about Roh both highlight a change in diet that I haven't really heard about before.  If he really is feeling that much better physically and if he has been completely bought into the program through spring and fall conditioning/camp and he gets a second year in this defensive system I am expecting him to really come up big.

Didn't know about his allergy problem. Glad he has got it licked. Hope he has an outstanding year in his new position.

...of the 2011 season were well documented, but I think this is the first time we've heard that it took an intervention from his dad to help him rededicate himself to the cause. As a dad of college age kids, I salute Fred Roh for the appropriate attention he gave to his son in a time of need.

I hope the SI preview is a little better than the USAToday print issue preview.  I was vacationing and read the USAToday Top 25 preview with much amazement a few weeks ago.   They listed Mike Jones - along with Demens and Countess -  as a key defensive player.   I love me some Mike Jones, but isn't he currently listed *behind* Demens on the MLB depth chart?    Maybe USAToday is just very bullish on our MLB corps this year.

Here's hoping for more of that with Alabama and Michigan State.

But here's also to no cover jinx for Denard, of course.

SI: You've said your first season was a failure because you didn't win the Big Ten. What, then, was the highlight?

BH: After the Sugar Bowl and after the Ohio State game, the kids and their reaction and their smiles, all those things that go with it. The team aspect and being committed and accountable to each other is something that you could see growing through the year.

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Did Brady Hoke really call it the "Ohio State game" (emphasis mine)?

The list could go on and on about why this team is the most severely overrated team in the Big 10, and I know I will get bombarded with comments about my UM allegiance and blue colored glasses. But 4 years straight against Michigan and 2 good seasons in a row when every single thing has went MSU's way in the plays of chance department have people on this board, people who don't like Michigan or just plain like to ride the current success hype train out of their minds. MSU is not 8 in the country. They aren't even close. 

Talk about UM getting overrated, jesus has the last 4 years taught anyone anything? Continuity is everything in college football. Especially for the lower tier talented teams. Look i'll be the first to admit that the system/staff in place at MSU has scratched them off of the laughable list. But this team does not have the talent in place to be the number 8 team in the country nor does it have the ability to just turn it on after losing all of those key players last year. That doesn't happen in college football. Only the very top dogs can have season where they occasionally get away with that. 

And their defense might be good, but many of you are acting like they are Alabama good. Nebraska, Notre Dame and 2 games against Wisconsin last year say otherwise. Hell it took them a minute to put down Minnesota. This team can be scored on. And in bunches. 

Look at the loss of Worthy. Is it not comparable to Mike Martin? So we return as much on defense too, how is it Dantonio can coach up lesser rated talent yet we are so impressed with their defense and have no faith in the guys taking Martin and RVB places? 

We lost to them the last 2 years because of a youth and a lack of continuity on offense in 2010 mixed with a horrible defense like no one has ever seen, and a lackluster offense in 2011 that had a lot to do with a lack of continuity on the offensive staff. 

Now in 2012 UM returns most of its offense, and the same amount of players on D as MSU does yet everyone is talking about MSU like they are the new OSU. I am sick of it. 

Sure MSU is no cupcake anymore. But they still haven't won a rosebowl or even attended one. They skipped OSU 2 years ago and basically skipped them last year by playing a team with a frosh QB who didn't know the playbook along with its other qb who was as bad as Sherithreet that also and had its primary weapons suspended or in the NFL. And they still only won 10-7. Then they hail mary'd against Wisconsin. And the rest of that schedule they had last year? well it contained an FCS team that horrible and 3 others that were at the bottom of college football in scoring. That Florida team never even won a game i don't think. 

I guess I will shut up now, cuz i sound bitter and I could just keep going on. But man I never wanted to shut anyone up more than that delusional fanbase in my entire life. And i'll guarantee this, that team will NOT be ranked top 25 at the end of 2012. Sure they picked the best year ever to schedule Boise at home but this is (as i have been saying for almost a  year) is the coming back to earth year for MSU. 

Has this edition of SI been released yet?

Wisconsin at #6?????  These preseason rankings are becoming so useless that they defy reason.

I know this has already been touched on, but Wisconsin at #6?!  Seriously?  SI thinks they'll be better than last year after losing Wilson, Toon and Konz?  I do not see that happening.  Montee Ball can only do so much.

#13 is the most realistic # I have seen yet.  Obviousely I would like us to finish #1, but all bias aside, we are in for one tough year.  Atleast looking at our strength of schedule.  It's bruising week to week.