Season Predictions Thread
Does MGoBlog have a fixed day before each season to gather everyone's season W-L predictions? If so, delete me. If not, this is as good a time as any so here's mine to kick things off:
Aug. 31Central Mich W Cupcake 1
Sept. 7 Notre Dame F Rees is underrated. Were this on the road I'd lean to a loss, but since at home. Coin flip due to lack of Jake Ryan.
Sept. 14 Akron W Cupcake 2
Sept. 21 @ ConnecticutW Not a cupcake, and first road game, but W regardless.
Sept. 28 --bye--
Oct. 5 Minnesota W Tougher test than expected, but W.
Oct. 12 @ Penn State F We rise as they fall, and here the arcs meet in the middle. Could go either way since it's at PSU, otherwise heavy Michigan lean.
Oct. 19 Indiana W See Minnesota.
Nov. 2 @ MSU F We finally significantly out talent MSU (offense no question, defense coin flip) but the fact that it's at E.L. and that this game is Dantonio's entire existence, means it's a coin flip.
Nov. 9 Nebraska W Typically a coin flip, but my 6th sense tells me we spank them at home this year.
Nov. 16@ NW L NW is a very good team, and I hope I'm wrong, but unless Mattison can solve NW's two headed QB hydra, I sense a frustrating loss for us where we trail the entire game but keep it close.
Nov. 23@ Iowa W See Minnesota. Iowa's home edge will be the only thing keeping this from a blow out.
Nov. 30Ohio State F Will Borges turtle again as he did in the 2nd half last year? Will Mattison solve the puzzle of OSU's running game where he must contain Miller on the edges without getting spanked by Hyde up the gut as happened last year? Our home edge makes this a flip, otherwise, advantage a seasoned Braxton Miller.
Win 7
Loss 1
Flip 4
Variance 7-5 to 11-1
Prediction 9 Wins - 3 Losses (MSU, NW, OSU)
For me, I'm in China. It's monday night. I'm drunk. Probably the only drunk person on mgoblog.
We're going 14-0 this season. That's my prediction.
Never assume you are the only drunk person on mgoblog.
Obviously you aren't on here much to think that.
You're not alone. I'm in Germany, so it's pretty much required to be drinking by this time of day. So I'll second 14-0.
11 games into the season, Michigan is undefeated and Devin Gardner has put together and impressive resume for his Heisman campaign. He seems to secure his standing as the Heisman favorite with over 300 all purpose yards against ohio heading into the 4th quarter as Michigan leads The Game. Ohio is forced to punt, and Devin looks at Brady Hoke who simply nods. One person notices it and moments later everybody is in awe as Gardner lines up as the return man. It's a fairly deep punt, but the crowd is going wild as Gardner jumps up the middle between two defenders, evades a tackle and breaks another, and then he's cruising up the far sideline to score a touchdown. He comes around, strikes the heisman pose, and it's set in stone. The sky splits open, Bo is risen from the dead, and the college football gods declare 100 years of Michigan dominance.
12-0 (14-0)
Satisfaction = Reality/Expectation
It serves to be enthusiastic, but even moreso to set more grounded expectations.
11-3 after conference championship and bowl
Wins against CMU, Akron, Uconn, Minnesota, Indiana, and Iowa.
Then out of ND, PSU, MSU, Nebraska, Northwestern, and OSU I think we win 3. I think we are more likely to win 4 of those than only 2,
So 9-3, but pushing 10-2
Everyone taking the field with our wolverines will be entering a world of pain.
Akron I or Akron II
/that guy
I am 100% with you OP about the flip games. I am going to go 8-4 for 2 reasons 1) I am a pessimist and 2) I need to see a pass rush out of this group without Jake Ryan before I start chalking up wins. I can see 10-2 but no better than that.
MSU, Neb, and OSU really scare me in the BIG10. MSU has a chance (with their schedule) to start 8-0 before they play Michigan, Neb, and NW. If they do by some miracle start 8-0 they will be a tough team to beat ( same as our 2011 year). However, SpartyNO moments can happen at any moment so we shall see.
Neb is such a bipolar team...honestly NO ONE KNOWS what the hell happens by the time we play them.
OSU will beat us and beat us twice if we make it to the BIG Championship. It disgusts me to say that but they seem to hold the slight advantages in key areas (DL v. OL and QB). I think Devin will have a breakout year but Braxton has started 2 full seasons already.
followed by a B1G Championship and Rose Bowl victory!!!!!!!!!
We pull out a thiller agains the UN 23-20 (w/ special guestkicker J Leman, of course), then beat the Taliban 49-0.
There was a thread regarding predictions in late June/early July IIRC, but what the heck, here's mine again:
2013 prediction: 12-2
Losses to NW and then Ohio in the BIG title game.
Win vs. Florida in Capital One Bowl.
------------------------------
Other years:
2012 preseason prediction score: 100%
2014 prediction: 3 losses
2015 prediction: 1 loss
2016 prediction: 2 losses
2017 prediction: 0 losses (National Title)
2018 prediction: 4 losses
determine Michigan's success. And they are the rivalry games plus the stubborn road foes like Northwestern which has both home field and revenge in its favor this year. My prediction is 10 wins with a potential one-loss and or undefeated based on play against ND and MSU.
This is actually the year that Michigan ought to contend for the title, not next year. Two primary keys to the season: improved running game and a defense as consistent last year with hopefully more pass rush.
If Michigan goes undefeated the first half of the season, and ony ND stands in the way of that happening, then I think momentum and team confidence give Michigan a real chance of facing Ohio in a repeat battle of 2006 for mountaintop supremacy. But this based on everything going right and no major injuries.
I think the passing game will be outstanding and it will make the running game that more effective. I am pretty convinced Michigan will have a solid if not outstanding defense with only a few major big play mistakes. I am usually not an optimist about this stuff. But this team's attitude combinded with the coaching and senior leadership make me feel very good about things this season.
I'm also on the fence between 9-3 and 10-2. Lots of graduating seniors replaced by young starters which raises concerns, particularly along the O-line.. ND, Nebraska, Ohio, MSU PSU and Northwestern are all games that I don't feel easy about.
Based on our level of top quality young talent, I do think we may be a team that gets stronger as the season progresses.
this is the last year that this type of thing won't contain the words Rutgers and/or Maryland.
enjoy it while you can.
CMU W Cupcake 1
Notre Dame W At home & under the lights.
Akron W Cupcake 2
@Connecticut W Uconn just isn't there yet. Grind out W, by 10.
--bye--
Minnesota W See "Uconn"
@Penn State W Just Hackenberg.
Indiana W Closest game all year for 3 quarters. Depth turns into issue as IU falters and loses by 20.
@ MSU F Same reasons OP gave
Nebraska F As bad as his throwing motion is...I am scared of Taylor Martinez.
@ NW F Last year's Hail-Mary-induced win has me worried.
@ Iowa W C'mon
Ohio State F It is called The Game for a reason. Has every chance to be a classic game. I am pretty sure they invented the term "coin flip" for this game.
Win 8
Loss 0
Flip 4
Variance 8-4 to 12-0
Prediction 11 Wins - 1 Losses (NW)
worried about that ESU game. If Kane is healthy we may be in trouble.
That's my range. We could pull a ND type season or we could make it to the Rose Bowl. We'll be really good this year. Our defense will finally be athletic and as long as our O-line improves over last year, which won't be that hard, we should be very good.
your mind.
Are we going to pull an ND type season or are we going to be really good?
;)
Touche.
against ohio,you need to turn in your Michigan fan card! I see atleast 10+ wins this season.GO BLUE!!!
I am positive we will be 11-0 going into OSU game. There is a good chance we beat them and go to 12-0...then it gets interesting....some luck and Gibbons make it 13-0 and off to face Bama...We do not get creamed and that shocks them and the world!! Look out 14-0 and a repeat of 1997!!! wooohooo
have you looked at their schedule ???
B1G home opener 10/5 vs. ohio then at Wisconsin, vs. Minnesota, at Iowa, at Nebraska then vs. Michigan
I am thinking they are 2 - 2 at best in B1G play when we come to town. I predict a solid Michigan victory on November 16th.
Go Blue!
Going game by game...
We should handle Central Michigan (W) and get a lot of PT for a ton of [younger] guys. (1-0)
At 1-0 we head into our matchup with Notre Dame (W) who in all reality will be down from last year especially with Rees at the helm and the loss of Teo. I expect that one to be close going into halftime, but Michigan will pull away in the second half. (2-0)
Akron (W) follows where all the starters are done playing by halftime, and again, a lot of the younger guys get [meaningless] playing time. (3-0)
Michigan then travels to UConn (W) for a closer than expected game, however still come home with a win which puts them at 4-0 heading into conference play [in two weeks]. (4-0)
B1G Ten Conference play oppens with Minnesota (W) coming to town and getting beat in a competitive first half. (5-0) {1-0}
The second game of the B1G Ten conference slate sees Michigan travel to Penn State (W) and start out a little stale and going down early to Penn State. I see the typical Michigan second half shutdown of Penn State and Michigan winning another game in Happy Valley. (6-0) {2-0}
Michigan then heads back home to take on a much-improved Indiana (W) team, however depth plays a role here and Michigan pulls away in the second half. (7-0) {3-0}
Coming off a BYE week, the Wolverines head into East Lansing for a showdown of unbeatens. Michigan State (W) has handled every opponent thus far on their schedule thanks to their defense. Michigan had a BYE week to prepare and this is the game Jake Ryan makes his return and boy does he provide quite the spark the defense needs in order to dictate a game. Ryan puts Maxwell on his back more often than not and Michigan leaves East Lansing with another CLOSE win. (8-0) {4-0}
The following week Nebraska (W) comes to the Big House for their second time and the game is close in the 1st quarter until Martinez provides a turnover which sees Michigan convert that turnover into points and run away with the game.(9-0) {5-0}
Northwestern (L) is in perfect form at this point in the season and have had this game circled since the 2012 season when Michigan stole a game out from under them. Having lost their previous game to Nebraska, as well as coming off of a BYE to prepare, they are hungry to get back into the chase and steal one from the Wolverines. (9-1) {5-1}
Michigan travels to Iowa (L) with a close loss fresh in their minds from the Northwestern game... many people thought this was the trap game, however it turns out the Northwestern game became the "trap" and Michigan looks to get back on track. Hawkeyes get smashed. (10-1) {6-1}
The Game. nothing better than the 3rd Saturday in November. Ohio [state] (W) comes to town and just like in 2011, the game is close into the 4th quarter, where Michigan keeps the home stand alive under Hoke and Michigan (who has already locked up the Division the week previous) sets their date for a rematch with the buckeyes for the following week. (11-1) {7-1}
Michigan takes on Ohio [state] in back-to-back weeks and The buckeyes storm to a 2-score lead early and hold onto it leading by a score going into halftime. Michigan comes out firing in the second half, and much like 2012, shutdown the buckeyes for most of the second half putting them in position to win the game late. They end up scoring with under 5 minutes to go in the 4th. Buckeyes (W) get the Ball and Michigan pulls a stop winning a close game and setting their path to the Rose Bowl. (12-1) {7-1}
The Rose Bowl: Not the National Championship game, but the Goal was to play in a Rose Bowl and that's where Michigan gets to. My gut tells me they play Stanford (L) here and much ike the game against South Carolina, this one stays close as well, however Stanford converts a couple of 3rd and shorts to burn the clock out and not give Michigan much time to score. (12-2) {7-1}
Going to see one hundred more of these before the season starts, but I don't care...
12-2 Losing the B1G Championship and beating Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl... Book it
And we better not lose to Nebraska because I will be making the trip up from Tennessee for it. Go Blue.. Let's get this season started.
Prediction: 11-3. Losses at NW and MSU. Win at home against Ohio and ND, lose B1G championship game to Ohio, win bowl game. 11 win season = happy UM fan.
Taylor Lewan
Coming back for his Senior Season to Win a Championship. It's happening. Hoke likes this team. I like this team. You like this team. ohio won WAY TOO many close games last year (Notre Dame style) to go 12-0 where it just can not happen this year. It pains me to say this, but I would rather lose in the Big House to ohio and beat them in the B1G Championship game than the flip of that. The Team wants rings.
Off topic- any one interested in a student ticket to the Night game email me. [email protected]
I tried adding it to the Spreadsheet however it keeps crashing....
Again, if inappropriate, please delete.
This article has some good Michigan stuff, with Big Ten previews as well. Didn't get any better than Michigan ND in 2011. The Win Total Line on Michigan is far too low at 8.5 Wins. I think they win 10 games this season. A win against ND assures a 5-0 start heading to Happy Valley. I don't think a split (2-2) against Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Ohio State is too much to ask of this team. http://www.stateoftheu.com/2013/8/5/4585926/predictions-and-lessons-from-the-sec-big-10-canes-memories
My MGoHomer pick is 10-2. My realist pick is 9-3.
But I'll hang my hat on 10-2.
We should sweep Central, Akron, Minn, Ind, UConn, and Iowa. Not worried about either of the road games as both UConn and Iowa had really inept offenses last year. At worst, we should lose 1 of those.
The other games are all tossups or better except for maybe OSU where we would probably be a slight underdog. We should at least be able to split them.
Unless something goes horribly wrong (read: Gardner gets hurt or is ineffective) we should be 8-4 at worst. Best case is 12-0 as there are no games where we are a clear underdog. I would probably put the over-under at 9.5 regular season wins but I'll say we go 10-2, beat OSU in the regular season but then lose the rematch in the title game, and win the bowl game to finish 11-3.
I think it all hangs on Devin's health. If he plays every game, we'll go 9-2 or 10-1... we'll win all of the first 5 easily except ND, which we'll win but close. There will be one other game that's tougher than expected, probably Minn but maybe CT (first road game.)
We'll go into Happy Valley and win one of those "gut it out" type of games that proves a building block.
Indiana is a trap game that worries me - we could be 6-0 coming off a very tough road win with MSU on the horizon. If it were on the road, I'd be very worried. At home, I'm more confident.
7-0 going into East Lansing and the start of "The Test" - @MSU, NEB, @NW. I think we win at least one, lose at least one, and the other will a toss-up. If we're fairly healthy, we take 2. If not, we lose 2.
Iowa is another trap game, but we'll win.
This all means we're weither 10-1 or 9-2 with ohio coming to town. If we're healthy, I think we win. IF there's a key player or two out, we may lose. A week later, we'll do it again.
IF Devin goes down for multiple games, I doubt we'll make the B1G championship, and we'll likely go anywhere from 6-6 to 8-4, depending on how many he misses.
My mind usually is the one I go with. 10-2 with wins over ND, MSU and OSU.