i didn't have much insight as to whether michigan would hit that number or not. not too many easy spots (and frankly games overall isn't high, i don't think) but only one non-winnable game (OSU). but like i said i didn't have an opinion.
but having said that, i did say harbaugh is an amazing coach... i would say taking over at Michigan is much easier than stanford or 49ers (stanford for sure)
but having said that, i did say harbaugh is an amazing coach... i would say taking over at Michigan is much easier than stanford or 49ers (stanford for sure)
Boy looking back through this thread is kind of comical. As a Michigan fan i'll admit I was thinking they would win 7-8 games and was hoping somehow they would pull out 9 wins. Hell, they may win 11-13 games now, although I still think 9-10 wins is more likely. I'm not sure how anyone could've thought they were just going to get rolled all year. You have to realize they have had pretty strong recruiting classes most of the last 4 years and just didn't have anyone that could coach them. All of a sudden Harbaugh comes in, assembles possibly the best assistant coaching staff in the country. they returned 17 starters. The defense was already pretty good last year and you knew it wasn't going to take a step back with Harbaugh and DJ Durkin in the mix. Now it looks like they have somewhat of a decent chance of making the playoff. haha
I mean I'm a huge fan and I didn't really see this coming. If you told me two months ago we would be sitting at 5-1, be the #12 team in the country and would be an 8 point fav over MSU and frankly, as of today, probably considered a fav in every game left on the schedule with Ohio being the only possible exception I wouldve said you were high. I honestly thought a low end of 7 wins on the year with a slight chance they might hit 9-10. As of now it looks they have a excellent shot at 9-10 wins with an half way decent shot of running the table or maybe only losing one more. The biggest problem I see is that after this year he then has to do it again with another new qb. At this point I really dont think Shane Morris will ever see the field in Ann Arbor. Next year I'm guessing Harbaugh starts one of his qb's.
I watch every game Michigan plays and it's beyond obvious that virtually every player on that team is miles better then they were 1 year ago. Its amazing what good coaching can do to college kids. Honestly, the only player to me that doesnt look significantly better this season is Joe Boldin, who is the guy that had the most pub coming into the year. Even he is doing fine, just not greatly better then last year. Almost every one else is way better then they were under Hoke.
Everyone talks about the ending, but from a realist, the real feeling after the game was very nice. This Michigan team was the same Michigan team that got progressively worse each year under Brady Hoke, with exception of a couple transfers. Michigan essentially lost 35-3 last year (35-11 final score BC of late garbage TD). One week shy of a year later, it took a miracle for one of the best michigan state teams under Dantonio to beat us. You could see the fear in the eyes of Spartans and Buckeyes alike when Jim Harbaugh was hired, and that fear has only heightened.
Dantonio avoided the post game handshake, and even avoided Harbaugh after the game when he came to congratule him. A fan also caught him on tape saying, "Where did all the Wolverines go". I believe it was Mark himself who said, " Pride comes before the fall".
In a single off season, Harbaugh and staff have turned a bunch of underachieving players into a unit whos only 2 losses have come to #4 Utah by 7 on the road, and to #6 on a miracle. Knowing what Jim has done at every stop, I think it's pretty obvious that once Jim starts getting his players in place, no one is going to want to play Michigan. To quote BYU center, "After you play Michigan you hurt for a week". Jim already has two stud QB's in the fold and is known for his ability to spot talent, and develop said talent. What Brady Hoke couldn't do in 4 years (getting highly recruited players to play up to their potential), Harbaugh did in a single off season.
So enjoy your opportunities to hate now, because your opportunities are quickly becoming few and far between.
Dantonio avoided the post game handshake, and even avoided Harbaugh after the game when he came to congratule him. A fan also caught him on tape saying, "Where did all the Wolverines go". I believe it was Mark himself who said, " Pride comes before the fall".
In a single off season, Harbaugh and staff have turned a bunch of underachieving players into a unit whos only 2 losses have come to #4 Utah by 7 on the road, and to #6 on a miracle. Knowing what Jim has done at every stop, I think it's pretty obvious that once Jim starts getting his players in place, no one is going to want to play Michigan. To quote BYU center, "After you play Michigan you hurt for a week". Jim already has two stud QB's in the fold and is known for his ability to spot talent, and develop said talent. What Brady Hoke couldn't do in 4 years (getting highly recruited players to play up to their potential), Harbaugh did in a single off season.
So enjoy your opportunities to hate now, because your opportunities are quickly becoming few and far between.
I still think the over is going to happen, a push worse case scenario unless they let this loss beat them again. Losing in the last 10 seconds is a tough pill to swallow...my team has done it 3 times just this year. The next coaching lesson will be to get the energy level back to pre-heartbreak. I wouldnt want the bye week.
You can all breath easier now... cause everyone that had the under has officially lost is money so with 3 games to play. So atleast you don't have to sweat it out. I got to say, Michigan is far from a great football team but they have really impessed me this year. No way did I think they would be 8-2 right now.
