<p>Jec, you sound silly. Michigan is three games removed from beating Florida at the Capital One Bowl. The same Florida that obliterated OSU in a Bowl game a year earlier. With healthy Henne, Hart and Manningham, Michigan would have won the Big 10 and finished the season 10-3 or better last year. </p>
<p>Three years ago, Michigan ended its season 11-2 and ranked in the top 10. </p>
<p>Utah is an experienced, top 15 team this year. </p>
<p>And Miami of Ohio is oneof the better teams in the MAC. As good as Ohio University. Didn't OSU struggle putting Ohio away last weekend? What does that say about OSU? </p>
<p>Let us face it Jec, you hate Michigan for obvious reasons, so do yourself a favor and stay away.</p>
<p>
[quote]
the players have looked completely inept in the first two games.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well, that clears this issue right up. You sound like you're more interested in writing a soap opera than having a serious discussion. COMPLETELY INEPT? Really. I've said my piece, not much more to say. Except this: just because one poll put U-M in the top 25 doesn't mean the problems weren't predictable. I would bet if you ask ANY of those voters, they'd say something like "it could be a touchy year, but I feel optimistic they'll solve the problems." Just because they were too optimistic, doesn't mean they were unaware of the issues involved when you have a new coach, almost entirely new staff, etc.</p>
<p>If you honestly believe that U-M football is a joke to everyone but fans, hey, stand by that. But I think that statement is overblown.</p>
<p>Yes, because having to use any one of the 5+ other recruited running backs (many of whom have been on the team for at least a season) instead of Beanie Wells is just as devastating as having to play with an offensive line filled with freshmen and walk-ons. I mean, look at Michigan last year. There's no way we could've beat Penn State without Chad Henne or Illinois without Mike Hart, right?</p>
<p>I don't know how to read Northwestern. One day they're losing to Duke at home, the next day they're going to East Lansing and beating MSU. If you catch them on a bad day, they're a pushover. If you catch them on a day their offense is on, it's a HARD team to beat.</p>
<p>LY they were OT winners on the road at MSU and at home vs. Minnesota. They were 3 point winners at home vs IU because of a blown call. They were 4-1 in games decided by one point or less, meaning they could have easily been 7-5 or 2-10. </p>
<p>Michigan last year would have lost to them if they just held onto the ball. NW had a lead going into the 4th quarter, but a -5 turnover ratio killed NW. NW had the advantage in first downs, total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, time of possession, yards per rush, yards per pass, and penalties.</p>
<p>A2Wolves, I think this year, Notre Dame is #1 or#2 in Indiana. IU is its usual weak self. Purdue did look good vs a top 20 Oregon team, so they may be better than Notre Dame. I have not idea what's the third team that you alluded to.</p>
<p>At any rate, the Notre Dame game went as expected. Notre Dame is one of the four likely losses I predicted before the season started. I actually thought there were many good signs that emerged from yesterday. </p>
<p>1) BYU is as good as I suspected. Beating UCLA 59-0 is pretty impressive.
2) Michigan is finding its go-to guys on offense. McGuffie is emerging as a reliable contributor and Threet is clearly the QB for now. Michigan actually managed to move the ball well. If it weren't for the first 5 minutes of play, the game would have been much closer. But those silly mistakes are to be expected in the first few games with a new coach and Freshman players. </p>
<p>I think you will be sadly surprised in two weeks, when Michigan takes the field vs top 10 Wisconsin.</p>
<p>I see Michigan finishing the season, as I predicted initially, 8-4. </p>
<p>7-5 would be a worst case scenario. </p>
<p>I think Illinois, MSU, NU, Purdue, Toldeo and Minnesota was likely wins. We should go 5-1 at the very worst in those 6 games. OSU, PSU and Wisconsin are going to be tough, but we should win 1 of those games.</p>
<p>Alexandre, Michigan is not beating Illinois there is no way, they are already 1-2 and likely to lose to Illinois, OSU, PSU, and Wisconsin, Michigan is most likely going to be 5-7 or 6-6 at best this year but it is expected since it is a rebuilding year, Rich Rodriguez doesnt have the pieces for his spread offense yet, but i am still really surprised that Michigan lost to a team as weak as Notre Dame, good thing Michigan isn't in the SEC or it would be 1-11 or 2-10 on the year</p>
<p>I mean I knew Michigan was going to be bad this year, but not THAT bad, 35-17 loss to a Notre Dame team still trying to regain confidence does not look good, not trying to bash on Michigan or anything just trying to drop knowledge as an unbiased person knowledgable about college football</p>
<p>I guess we'll have to wait three weeks before knowing for sure ramen. I think people underestimate Michigan and overestimate the competition. For example, UIUC's wins came against very weak teams (weaker than Miami of Ohio). Beating Eastern Illinois and Louisiana-Lafayette (by three points) doesn't say much when you factor in the experience of Illinois' players. Most of their skill players are Juniors or Seniors. Hardly inspirational. I also think that Michigan's offense is making clear progress from week to week. In two weeks, when Michigan takes the field vs Wisconsin, I think you can expect a very different team. That is not to say Michigan will not struggle this year. But I do not foresee a sub .500 season.</p>
<p>Hopefully last game solidified Threet as the starter, and he can get lots of reps in practice over the next two weeks instead of having to split time with The Backup.</p>
<p>I think Threet is quickly making the QB job his own. Along with McGuffie, he has shown to be more reliable than other players on offense. We should, at this very delicate juncture, build the offense around them.</p>