Updated S&P+ rankings, and a look at Michigan opponents
Michigan
Overall: 4 Offense: 30 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 38
Penn State
Overall: 10 Offense: 18 Defense: 27 Special Teams: 85
Ohio State
Overall: 8 Offense: 5 Defense: 49 Special Teams: 31
Rearview mirror:
Notre Dame
Overall: 7 Offense: 41 Defense: 5 Special Teams: 48
Wisconsin
Overall: 13 Offense: 3 Defense: 66 Special Teams: 96
Michigan State
Overall: 42 Offense: 96 Defense: 15 Special Teams: 39
October 21st, 2018 at 12:58 PM ^
IMHO this team is on a mission. I sense a championship mentality as been cultivated. We shall see though.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:09 PM ^
No doubt we are a good D but we haven't gone up against a team that can take advantage of our weaknesses outside of what NW was doing in the first half of that game and maybe ND - though their QB at the time was not good.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^
Michigan's offense having longer drives than last year is helping those defensive stats.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:18 PM ^
Michigan has #1 defense on S&P+ with a rating of 12.6. Clemson is the #2 D with a rating of 14.8. That distance between Michigan and Clemson is LARGER than the distance between #2 and the #10 team (that happens to be LSU). Wow is all I have to say.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:42 PM ^
Would like to have a Don Brown-ish OC next year!
October 21st, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^
D-Caff.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
PSU's next three games are at Iowa, at Michigan, and against Wisconsin. I'm going to predict they won't be top 10 soon.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:53 PM ^
Pretty sure they at home this week against Iowa.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:00 PM ^
You're right. Still wouldn't be surprised to see Iowa win that.
October 21st, 2018 at 3:33 PM ^
Me either. Iowa is really good. They’re a Wisconsin loss from controlling their playoff destiny.
October 21st, 2018 at 3:45 PM ^
I think Iowa wins in Happy Valley behind a great defense.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^
Did anyone else notice we've only scored 1 less point than Ohio State's vaunted offense since conference play has started?
October 21st, 2018 at 1:09 PM ^
Their big, impressive win against TCU is turning out to not be impressive at all. TCU kind of stinks this year.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:12 PM ^
I did, actually, whilst surrendering ten fewer points per game.
One of these two teams has played Rutger.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:00 PM ^
Im not OSU defensive is even that good to be 48th
October 21st, 2018 at 1:14 PM ^
Astonishingly, they gave up over 500 yards to Purdue.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:31 PM ^
They've given up 500+ yards multiple times this year.
October 21st, 2018 at 2:02 PM ^
Needs moar Schiano-men! Since Chachi Sandler left for Cinncinati, OSU's defense has looked decidedly pedestrian even with all that talent. A year further removed from the Waterboy's influence and now Bosa-free...not good.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:32 PM ^
I would be curious what the split is pre-Bosa injury and post-bosa injury. He covered up so many of their issues. Teams would have to keep an extra blocker in to chip on him which means there are less players running routes and because of the pressure teams couldn’t take shots deep as easily. Once in a decade type talent.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:48 PM ^
In week 1, Oregon State (now 1-6) put up 31 points and 392 total yards on OSU.
In week 2, Rutgers scored 3 points and gained 134 yards. Against most teams that's a fabulous outing, but this is Rutgers.
In week 3, TCU had 28 points and 511 yards. Bosa was injured during this game.
I'm sure his loss has hurt but I think the cracks were there already.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:46 PM ^
Super-early predictions:
Michigan 31, PSU 13
Michigan 27, Ohio State 21.
Michigan 28, Iowa 13. (B1G Champ game)
Alabama 27, Michigan 14 (CFP semi-final #1 vs #4)
UM finishes 12-2. Damn good season for UM. Harbaugh's best season so far.
#GoBlue
October 21st, 2018 at 3:34 PM ^
This is a ridiculous exercise.
I enjoyed reading it anyway. And I would absolutely sign up for this in a hot second.
October 21st, 2018 at 5:52 PM ^
Why do people (specifically UMProud) keep calling for a Don Brown like OC? I mean, this offense is averaging ~40 points/game, >200 yds rushing/gm, >220yds passing/gm, and more than doubling up ToP on their opponent each game. It grinds teams into dust. They just Wisconsin'd the #1 rushing defense in the country - on that defense's home field.
WTF do people want?
October 21st, 2018 at 9:11 PM ^
They want Touchdown Play called 3 or 4 times in the first half. Anything less is a fireable offense in their eyes.
October 21st, 2018 at 11:51 PM ^
If our offense can improve the passing game, we will be unstoppable! Alabama level of good!