ESPN's Way to early Pre-Season Rankings Updated
wolverines @wolverines
Post-signing day ESPN 2012 college football rankings keep Michigan State at No. 9, while Michigan slips to No. 14 http://bit.ly/xx95yQ
Not sure I'd agree that just because having a couple of back to back 11 win seasons or that going 1-5 in Dantonio's tenure is something that makes MSU one of the most consistant B1G Teams.
Also having Michigan drop three spots even with their win in the Sugar bowl?
I guess that is why these are called the "way to early" rankings.
February 7th, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^
Am I the only one that sees Sparty taking a step back next season. Not a huge step back, but losing Cousins/Worthy/Baker/WRs is going to hurt them. I keep hearing from them that Maxwell isn't going to miss a beat from where Cousins left off, but I'm very skeptical of that. Experience means a lot to a strating QB.
I guess I just don't understand why we dropped and they remain in the top 10... I figure 14 is about right for us, but I see Sparty lower than that.
February 7th, 2012 at 11:50 AM ^
They lose some of the biggest elements of their offense. Then they still have a killer defense.
I think that MSU is on a bit of an upturn, but with our upturn coming up as well, I sincerely doubt it will be sustained. They thrive when we do not win the in-state recruiting battles. But we are doing that again.
February 7th, 2012 at 11:52 AM ^
Taking a step back is probably accurate. However, the same things were said after all of our contributing players left last year (Jones, Gordon, Rucker, offensive line, etc)
February 7th, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^
I don't see why anyone would down vote this as it is a reasonable response to what has been said.
For my part though, I think your losses will be bigger this year than last (keep in mind I was one of the ones that thought you would take a big step back last year too). I think the defense is still going to be solid as usual, but I see the offense struggling mightily next year.
I think your fans that think it won't are selling Mr. Coupons short. He was a solid multi year starter and thinking Maxwell won't miss a beat is a little wishful thinking IMHE. I guess time will tell though.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
I'd agree with you. The offense is a huge wildcard. All indications point to Maxwell being more athletically and physically gifted than Kirk (from plays seen in garbage time and reports from practice) but he doesn't have that huge intangible factor of in-game experience. I wouldn't be surprised to see some ill-advised throws and interceptions early on similar to what Kirk did in 2009. Luckily for us the D is still loaded and not like what it was in 2009 so it should allow Maxwell some better than average starting field position.
February 7th, 2012 at 1:12 PM ^
Just curious...why was this post moderated as a troll? Seems like a reasonable response with some info about Maxwell-Cousins similarities-differences.
EDIT: Moderated back to "normal". Am I being too soft and cuddly?
February 7th, 2012 at 11:55 AM ^
I see it as well, although I thought the same thing coming into 2011. Their running game was not good for most of the year, they lose their best OLineman, as well as 100% of their passing game. Their defense will be scary, but their offense, not so much.
I think they will be good enough to compete for the Big Ten title based on their defense alone, especially since our schedule sets up to give us some disappointments. I don't think Nebraska will be a huge threat to win the Legends, but what do I know. What is certain, though, is that the Legends will have 3 teams that will be better than whoever qualifies for the Leaders division title.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:24 PM ^
This is the same defense that gave up 41 points to Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game? The talent level of MSU's defense tends to get overblown. They're a solid unit, but Alabama 2012 they're not. They'll definately be the strength of next year's team, but I still don't see another 11 win season on the horizon for Sparty.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^
By having MSU at 9, the thought is, essentially, that they will lose two games or less.
You be the judge:
August: Boise State.
September: at Central Michigan; Notre Dame; Eastern Michigan; Ohio State.
October: at Indiana; Iowa; at Michigan; at Wisconsin.
November: Nebraska; OPEN; Northwestern; at Minnesota.
December/January: Big Ten Championship (?); Bowl Game (?).
Wouldn't be surprised to see MSU sweep through November; October could be troublesome as could September. I would think MSU has the advantage against Boise.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:28 PM ^
seven games (Ohio, Notre Dame, Boise, Michigan, Wisonsin, Iowa, and Nebraska) that are by no means gimmes. Even Northwestern, with Persa, could be dangerous. Even though most of these games are favorably at home (seven home games is fine, eight would be rediculous) I think it's bold to call them for only 2 losses.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^
is a senior (and was in the East-West Shrine game). Kain Colter will likely be calling most of the plays for NU next year as a junior.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
Beaten by a wide margin, I guess I'm slipping.
February 7th, 2012 at 4:25 PM ^
ridiculous*
sorry, i just had to.
February 7th, 2012 at 1:31 PM ^
How does a team with zero experience at the QB position rank in the top ten? A good defense can only do so much and if the offense can't put points on the board then the close games will turn into Ls. I'll say Sparty tops out at 7-8 wins next year. I just don't see MSU in the top ten. You simply can't replace a QB like Cousins and expect 11 wins.
February 7th, 2012 at 4:09 PM ^
Michigan is 22-1, which is easily the best in the Big Ten.
Nebraska and Wisconsin are at 35-1
MSU is at 75-1
http://www.bankrollsports.com/blog/2013-bcs-national-championship-odds/
February 7th, 2012 at 11:52 AM ^
...recent consistency, I'm not sure who else you could nominate besides State and Wisconsin.
But our ranking is puzzling - we are either being punished for the losses on the line or pre-emptively being dinged for the strength of our opponents.
February 7th, 2012 at 1:24 PM ^
Honestly, I do not. I don't even think teams should be ranked until maybe week 5 and even that may be too early since most teams just play a soft pre-conference schedule. Starting out at 14 is actually a great spot. We go to Jerryworld and beat bama and BOOM, Michigan is in the 10 no questions. Remember in 1997 and 2006 Michigan started out 14 as well. Maybe it's a good omen?!
February 7th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^
I think #14 is fair for us, but the Spartan ranking is a laugher. They lost the heart of their D and their entire offense. Their top recruit might not see the field and they have a new QB starting. Oh well, better to exceed expectations than fall terribly short.
February 7th, 2012 at 1:46 PM ^
I see MSU's 2011 season as something akin to Michigan in 1997 (I know, I know, hear me out).
After the '97 season Michigan only lost a couple of guys from that killer defense. However, losing Woodson was devastating from a game plan perspective (he literally took half of the field away from opposing QBs). Without him on the field, our secondary and linebackers couldn't cheat anymore and some holes got exposed (also, Donovan McNabb was untacklable, but that's a different story).
I think that the same will apply to MSU next year. While they return quite a bit of talent, they won't have that anchor in the middle of the line (Worthy) anymore next year. Teams will be able to focus more on doubling Gholston off the edge and picking up blitzing linebackers rather than that ugly behemoth in the middle.
Also, MSU losing their QB and top receivers should not be understated. Yes, they do have some young talent there, but it is young and thin. I see both sides of the ball taking a step back next year for MSU.
February 7th, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
I have a hard time caring about these pointless polls. They count for nothing and are based off of guesses as to who's losses of personnel hurt most. I give this a resounding, meh.
February 7th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^
Don't take the polls away from us, they're all we have for the next 7 months, for god's sake!
February 7th, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
I give your Avatar a resounding, meh
February 7th, 2012 at 4:20 PM ^
I give your face a resounding meh, Brah! Amirite?
February 7th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^
MSU's season rests on the shoulders of Andrew Maxwell, an unknown variable. If he comes in and plays well, they will be one of the big ten's best teams. If he stinks or gets injured, they could very well hover around 7 wins or so.
He was a highly ranked recruit and has been sitting for a few seasons so expect him to be a decent quarterback, slightly less effective than Kirk.
Then again....I don't know shit.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:02 PM ^
Good thing these rankings are meaningless. I think both teams have the potential to stay in the top ten through the early season but also to drop way down. We unfortunately are more likely to drop way down than them early due to our SOS, but I am of the camp that they can't make up for losing their entire passing attack so easily.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:04 PM ^
Is this the way to early?
February 7th, 2012 at 12:11 PM ^
...i think is the way.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^
Much like the time I was given a ticket for "following to close". To close what? I'll never know. Anyway,
some uses for "to" =
to infinity and beyond
To: Golfer86; From: Grammar Santa
some uses for "too" =
too much time wasted
grammar is too hard
way too early
February 7th, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^
and our school played many of these crazy sounding towns. But I wasn't Early. Knoke, though, continues to show up on maps even though it has never been incorporated and only ever had a population of like 20.
February 7th, 2012 at 1:32 PM ^
I had to use teh googles after seeing this...
I couldn't believe that there is a Pocahontas County in the USA. There is not one.
There are two. (Iowa and West Virginia.)
February 7th, 2012 at 4:41 PM ^
I hail from Early, TX with a thriving population of 2,762. This adds absolutely nothing to the post, but I can't think of a time in my life where it made sense to mention that I was from Early, TX...so I will enjoy the opportunity now.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:29 PM ^
been brave enough to say this yet.
But isn't dropping to 14 going to KILL our chances with Kozan!?!1!?
February 7th, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^
We all know the preseason rankings don't tell us a whole lot. But aren't you more comfortable being lower ranked in the preseason? I am because our track record when ranked high in the preseason is not the greatest during the opening weeks of the season. I seem to remember too many letdowns to count.
February 7th, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^
I can understand us dropping after the Sugar Bowl. We looked kind of terrible in that win.
February 7th, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^
MSU is a top-15 team next year on defense, so if the offense can keep from killing them it should work out for them. What will be interesting is in the next couple of years how they'll be as the talent well dries up in Ohio and Michigan. I mean, they pulled in a top-40 class this year, and while that isn't bad per se, they are still going to struggle to get those top in-state players that helped them the past couple of years. Sure, they might pull an Iowa for a couple of years and win with meh talent, but as we see with Iowa when injuries hit, they just fall apart.
UM alos looks like a top-15/20 team, but until the defensive line plays a down of football I am bearish on their prospects without Martin and RVB.
February 7th, 2012 at 1:53 PM ^
That ESPN has way too much copy to fill. At this point, they just seem to be throwing anything out there. They say it's "way too soon." Yes, it is, so why bother printing it?
February 7th, 2012 at 2:25 PM ^
Seriously. I would love to work there and make bracketology projections in December and college football predictions in February. People get paid money to put these things together somehow.
February 7th, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^
14 is about right. 9 for MSU, we'll see, they should have a better O line and the defense should be just as good if not better. It's all on Maxwell, they are really high on him and think he's going to be at least as good as Cousins, but in how long? If he hits the ground running that could be the team to beat in the B1G. They've developed very good depth in East Lansing.
February 7th, 2012 at 2:26 PM ^
because they open the season on a Friday night vs Boise State. Sure to be broadcast on the ESPN networks.
February 7th, 2012 at 3:13 PM ^
February 7th, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
Although M and MSU should be pretty good next year, it seems likely that both will take a step back in 2012. Michigan's d-line will be problematic. And the schedule is brutal. Sparty can't expect to win 10 games with a wholly inexperienced QB and o-line. I'm guessing neither team ends up ranked higher than 15. Fortunately, Michigan's recruiting and coaching are such that it will climb in 2013 and beyond, whereas Sparty has already maxed out. Now that Michigan has reclaimed the in-state recruiting advantage, there's just no way Sparty can keep pace. By 2014, it will be 1997.
February 7th, 2012 at 4:12 PM ^
I think you mean inexperienced WRs, MSU's O line is going to be more experienced and should be improved. 2013 looks like a good year for MSU as well, but by 2014 Hoke's recruiting should tip the balance towards Michigan.
February 7th, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
February 7th, 2012 at 4:27 PM ^
You linked to MLIVE which linked to ESPN. Annoying.
February 7th, 2012 at 4:37 PM ^
Did you really misspell the word "too" twice?
February 7th, 2012 at 6:09 PM ^
I think MSU and Michigan could be ranked between 8-14 and I think that would be pretty accurate. State brings back a very good defense and only loses two starters from there defense. They do lose some key pieces on offense but do bring back Leveon Bell who is a good running back. I hope Maxwell isn't as good as he is hyped up to be and that there receivers aren't expected to be as good as everyone thinks as well. I think they could take a step back on offense if there receivers don't match up to all the hype that is around them (especially if Arnett isn't cleared to play). Either way I think State will be pretty good. I am just hoping our defense continues the success from this past year and that BWC steps up on the D-line and Pipkins is as good as everyone expects him to be. We will also need other guys to step up like Washington, Ash, and Clark. The secondary should be much better with all the game experience they had this year and our linebackers should be fine as well. On offense it all depends on how denard progresses in the passing game but we also need to have the receivers step up huge next year. Mainly Roundtree needs to have a season like he did his sophomore season. Losing Hemingway is awful but hopefully some of the young guys can step up. Can't wait for this coming year.