Adam Rittenberg: anonymous B1G coaches re Michigan say "don't believe the hype"

Submitted by Maizen on

Despite returning 16 starters and 3 All Americans off a 10 win team and signing a top 5 recruiting class, Jim Harbaugh's colleagues in the B1G are feeling some type of way (butthurt) about their outlook in 2016 according to Adam Rittenberg. Yes, the same Adam Rittenberg who wrote before last years opener that "anonymous coaches" were telling him that Utah would be blowing Michigan out by halftime and they would be lucky to win 7 games. This years latest sampling from the blogger, which I admit I find hilarious.

 

One Big Ten coach cited the over-under numbers posted for Michigan in Las Vegas -- Westgate has the Wolverines at 10 wins -- and said, "I'd take the under every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I'd be shocked [if they go over]." Another Power 5 coach, when asked if Michigan will be a national contender in Year 2 under Harbaugh, simply shook his head. 

 

"Ohio State dismantled them," a Big Ten coach said. "It was really men against boys. So what does that mean? I know they feel good about some of the players they have coming back. I'm sure they're going to coach them well. It's Year 2 in the program. They'll be more confident in what they'll ask them to do. 

 

"Jake played out of his mind," a Big Ten coach said. "Who's the quarterback?" 

Another Big Ten coach noted that Harbaugh's system helps out the quarterback by putting more of the onus on the line and the run game. A Big Ten offensive coordinator praised Michigan's defense, especially a line led by Chris Wormley. But asked if the Wolverines are playoff-ready, he said no way. 

"You're talking about running the table," a Big Ten assistant said. "Not that [Harbaugh] won't probably get there, but I don't think he has the pieces now." 

Added a Big Ten coach: "Don't believe the hype."

 

http://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/17272506/michigan-wolverines-houston-cougars-washington-huskies-really-good

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dipshit moron

August 12th, 2016 at 7:48 PM ^

so no good teams have close games?  did you happen to notice michigan won those games? if thinking michigan can be better than last year is being overhyped, than so be it. i think they will be much better. but that doesnt mean their record will be alot better.

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SBo

August 12th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^

Harbaugh will track you down and make you his bitch, anonymous big ten coach. Jim Harbaugh will make you believe the hype.

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megaswami

August 12th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^

It's all relative. I do think they hype may be too high, based on the information at hand. Could we win a B1G title, sure. If we win B1G could we be in NC mix, sure. But we did get manhandled by OSU and until we can beat them and MSU, we are too hyped.



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amaizenblue402

August 12th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^

We all know who this was:

Another Power 5 coach, when asked if Michigan will be a national contender in Year 2 under Harbaugh, simply shook his head.

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Trobdcso

August 12th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^

We have a legitimate QB, I don't believe the hype either. Got to have a good QB to go anywhere regardless of how good the rest of the team is. This is true at all levels of football.

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LKLIII

August 12th, 2016 at 3:23 PM ^

I think what some of those other coaches aren't considering though is, at least WE think the rest of the team is so good that we don't even need a "good" QB this year.  Now, maybe we are wrong and Harbaugh needs to crank out a QB who is "good" to "very good".

But I feel that just like in 1997, if we just have an "adequate" QB this year--a game manager that won't be a turnover machine--it's entirely possible that--as long as our OL can produce and stay healthy--the rest of our offensive athletes can get enough done to put up 17-24 points per game and then we lean on our D to do the rest.  We don't necessarily need a Heisman candidate QB who can put the team on his back and will them to win.  We just need a guy who can let the rest of the team do what they do.

Plus we have a cupcake schedule the first several games to coach up our new QB to the adequate/good or possibly "very good" level.

Bottom line is I don't think opposing coaches have as detailed knowledge of the Michigan roster/personnel at this point in the season right now--they're focused on their own team.  

 

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gorilla tactics

August 12th, 2016 at 1:26 PM ^

"Jake played out of his mind". Yup, QB's tend to outperform their talent level when coached by Harbaugh. I wonder if that was Ferentz considering he addressed Jake by his first name.

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wahooverine

August 12th, 2016 at 1:29 PM ^

I mean they are rival in-conference coaches... What do you expect them to say? "Yeah, I agree with the hype, I think Michigan will beat my team badly and possibly win it all this year and Jim Harbaugh is a better coach and man then me."

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wahooverine

August 12th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^

Michigan definitely has to back up some big talk but I think this team is capable of doing it. The haters would rejoice to see Michigan fail to live up to the hype. Hope these these guys aren't getting cocky. I don't think that's the case though. We've got a coach that doesn't allow for complacency. We've got players that have bought into that work/team ethic and are focused on a huge goal led many NFL bound upper classmen. We got competition at every position that brings out the best in all players. Plus some potential play stars. The only big question is QB and we've got the best QB whisperer in the world. Gotta like our chances!

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ThadMattasagoblin

August 12th, 2016 at 1:41 PM ^

Why are we worried about the qb position? The same thing was said last year about a new qb. Yes the new qb could be bad or he could also be better than Rudock or the same. Inexperienced doesn't mean bad.

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Superpro77

August 12th, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^

If there was any thought of the team getting to high on themselves...this is a story that should motivate them even more.  This is just the stuff that I am sure Harbaugh will use to bring this team's intensity to a new level. 

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drjaws

August 12th, 2016 at 1:59 PM ^

Well, go fuck yourselves anonymous B1G coaches.  You're going to get wrecked this fall.

 

Sincerely,

 

Michigan Wolverines Football

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ca_prophet

August 12th, 2016 at 2:00 PM ^

If we "only" win ten games, the team will be a disappointment to many. And we almost certainly can't make the B1G championship and hence the playoffs without beating OSU in Columbus, which makes the OSU quote above particularly relevant. Yeah, they lost a ton of guys, but the last time we beat OSU in Columbus was so long ago our incoming recruiting class would be hard pressed to remember anything from that time, much less the game. Whether or not we're a playoff team comes down to holding serve and then beating OSU on the road.

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Trobdcso

August 12th, 2016 at 2:15 PM ^

Without Mone all season and Glasgow was pretty pathetic against OSU last year, but those LB's failed to impress me even more. With that said, I don't think OSU will push this years D-line around. Hopefully the LB corp will be better, and faster.

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Mitchamaniac

August 12th, 2016 at 2:31 PM ^

"Ohio State dismantled them," a Big Ten coach said. "It was really men against boys. So what does that mean? I know they feel good about some of the players they have coming back. I'm sure they're going to coach them well. It's Year 2 in the program. They'll be more confident in what they'll ask them to do. "

My guess is this has to be Mike Dantonio



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