<p>This year went as expected so far. Our football team ended with a slightly disappointing 8-5 record, but given the quality of the 5 teams we lost to (they have a combined 57-7 record) and the injuries we sustained at DB, RB and QB, I don't think anybody can fault the team. Our losses to Notre Dame, Ohio State and South Carolina were very unfortunate. </p>
<p>Now that the season is complete, the next question is, how will our recruiting class shape up. We have already secured 24 commitments and most recruitment analysts rank Michigan among the top 5 classes. With the likely commitment of Derrick Green (one of the top 3 RBs in the nation), we should end with one of the top 5 classes in the nation. Unfortunately, it would seem that Laquon Treadwell, one of the top 3 WRs in the country, is no longer interested. Had we secured him, I would say Michigan would have had the #1 class in the country, particularly on offense. I still think Michigan is two seasons away from contending for the Big 10.</p>
<p>The basketball team is off to a great start. Although Basketball is not as important as football, it is nice to see our team do well. Of course, the first half of the season was relatively easy. The really hard stretch comes in the second half of the season, 9 of our last 15 games will be against top 15 teams. That's when we'll see how good we really are. We should be 16-0 once we play Nebraska, but road games at OSU and Minnesota could provide Michigan with its first loss(es) of the season.</p>
<p>The Hockey team is not doing well so far this season. Berenson teams usually struggle at the beginning buyt finish strong, but I do not remember the last time we were 7-10 this late in the season. This could be our first non-NCAA tournament team in more than 20 years.</p>
<p>Our schedule does not look intimidating at all next year. I think we’ll be contending for a B1G title with the chance of playing OSU 2 weeks in a row.</p>
<p>I don’t understand how Ole Miss is garnering so much attention form top recruits. A lil SEC snake oil would be my guess</p>
<p>It is not surprising that many top recruits are keen on SEC programs. I attribute this to three reasons:
- Most of the top players in the nation come from SEC country, Texas and California. They grew up revering SEC football, as well as Texas and USC football. In fact, the local culture is as such that it is considered an act of treason to leave the south for many of those athletes. Some kids are literally disowned by their community for defecting to the North. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>SEC programs are located in warmer weather, which is obviously appealing for a sport played outdoors.</p></li>
<li><p>SEC programs have more lenient academic eligibility and standards that ACC, Big 10 or Pac 10 programs.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>In short, there is nothing suspicious about Ole Miss’ appeal.</p>
<p>We aren’t talking about Florida, Bama, LSU, etc. We are talking about Ole Miss</p>
<p>this team went 2-10 in 2011…</p>
<p>Ole Miss has always been one of the worst oversining/greyshirting offenders, even by SEC standards. </p>
<p>When I’m watching the All-American games and I see them but up the graphic “Top recruits interested in Ole Miss” and it has #1 WR, #1 DE, #2 CB, #1 G, etc etc well then I am gonna be a little suspicious.</p>
<p>Cam got paid…</p>
<p>Football was a disaster this year, no two ways about it. The fact is we went 0-5 against good teams that we played. Northwestern and State were both pretty average this year and we squeaked by them. No, we didn’t lose at home, but good teams win games on the road and we failed in that department. Next year the schedule is looking pretty favorable and Devin seems to have it together at QB. He fits much better with Borges’ offense than Denard did. The question will be the young OL, especially assuming Lewan goes pro, but if they can get it together we will contend for the B1G. We look to be in the lead for Green right now but anything can happen. It looks like the staff really wants another OL too. And btw, hearing that we’ve been in contact recently with top rated linebacker Reuben Foster. Poggi built a good relationship with him at his All American game and Foster reciprocated interest with UM. It would be a major coup but just something to stay tuned into. Oh, and a visit looks to be in the works with recently de-committed from USC WR Sebastian LaRue. Would be another huge get.</p>
<p>Basketball is another story. We’re playing like the best team in the country right now. Really it’s hard to say just how good this team is before we get some real road tests (@OSU, @Minnesota are coming up) but if we can get some quality road wins we’ll be a national championship favorite come March.</p>
<p>As far as Ole Mi$$ goes, well…</p>
<p>It’s years like this I’m glad I’m more of a basketball person than a football person! (And the fact that I was a lifelong Syracuse fan before coming to Michigan)</p>
<p>The Wolverines lead the Director’s Cup standings after the Fall 2012 season. Hopefully we can stay #1!</p>
<p>If Michigan does well in Basketball, we could hold on to #1 in the Director’s Cup. However, we will be pushed by Notre Dame and Stanford, both of which are among the top 10 in the current Director’s Cup standings and had strong football seasons and respectable basketball teams. If Michigan recovers in hockey, we will most likely finish #1 in the Director’s Cup standings.</p>
<p>Alexandre, the Directors Cup takes into account upwards of 20 sports so an all-around brilliant athletic season is needed by whatever team claims the trophy. I believe Stanford participates in the most D1 sports so they will most likely still continue to hoist the trophy. Michigan’s Wrestling/Track/Tennis/Golf/Lacrosse teams will also need to perform extremely well for the Wolverines to even have a chance.</p>
<p>With Taylor Lewan opting to stay at Michigan, this team is looking better next year. Strange what one player can do for a team, but we really needed him to anchor the OL. Now if only Derrick Green would commit to Michigan, we may have a solid offence to complement our solid defence. Lewan’s return may actually give Derrick that extra push he needed to commit. Without Lewan, I expected Michigan to finish 8-4. With him back, I am upgrading my prediction to 9-3, maybe even 10-2 if we have an effective running game. Home games against Notre Dame, Nebraska and OSU will be tough, as will road games against PSU, MSU, Iowa and Northwestern.</p>
<p>Lewan!</p>
<p>I still think you are too low on this team, but we’ll see what happens </p>
<p>Lewan is big also for teaching all the young OLs we have</p>
<p>Lewan coming back probably will have zero impact on what Green’s decision is. I doubt he’d let that decide where he wants to spend the next 4, maybe 3, years of his life since he and Lewan would only be teammates for one year.</p>
<p>^It could definitely have an impact. Green has stated multiple times that he wants to go somewhere where he can play right away. Michigan certainly fits the bill in that regard given our lack of depth at RB, but as a true freshman he’s not going to want to run behind an inexperienced line. With Lewan back that’s not an issue.</p>
<p>FutureWolverine, although Lewan’s decision to return will not play a huge part in Green’s decision, it will definitely play a role for several reasons.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>RBs of Green’s caliber (#1 or #2 in the nation) look to start immediately. Part of the reason why Michigan is so appealing to him is precisely because Michigan likes to establish the run and there is no RB at Michigan that has earned to starter’s role. Without Lewan, he would be running behind an inexperienced OL that was a weakness this season. With Lewan, who ever gets the ball will at least have the lone bright spot of the OL back. Hopefully, the rest of the OL will play better in 2013, but Lewan’s return should not be underestimated, nor should its impact on the development of the OL, which ultimately determines how well our RBs will do. Ergo, Green will definitely appreciate Lewan’s return.</p></li>
<li><p>When one of the top 3 OLmen and projected top 15 pick in the draft decides to return for his senior year, it speaks much about the pride and the dedication the program commands from its leading players. This speaks to the kind of tradition and confirms the family atmosphere fostered by the coaching staff in ways that words alone cannot. And this is not a first at Michigan. In fact, there is a tradition of players returning for their senior year. Top players in most other programs usually bolt the moment they are considered NFL worthy. You can bet this will play a small role too, if not for Derrick, definitely for mama and papa Green!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>At any rate, to be one of Green’s top 6 at this time is positive. Hopefully, we can beat out the competition and get him.</p>
<p>^At this point it would be a disappointment if we don’t get him. We’re his stated leader and there’s no clear #2. Recruiting analysts across the board have us way out front.</p>
<p>You never know maizeandblue. Every expert had Lewan bolting to the NFL! But I agree that we are looking good as far as Green is concerned.</p>