M-Dog

January 9th, 2018 at 4:37 PM ^

These are never accurate.  All they ever do is a straight line interpolation of the current year into the next year as if nothing ever changes.

So fo 2017, they underrated teams like Georgia, Notre Dame, and MSU that had injuries / inexperience in 2016.

 

Kevin13

January 9th, 2018 at 4:28 PM ^

and at WR Black is back and the rest are all a year older with experience. The OL actually should take a step forward and even if Patterson doesn't play our QB play in general should improve next year. 

We have a tough schedule but the team should improve across the board and no reason now to not win at least 10 regular season games.

TrueBlue2003

January 9th, 2018 at 5:19 PM ^

that aside from Cole, we didn't have a decent OT as of about a week ago (unless we had one that the coaches weren't willing to take a RS from).

So yeah, we don't know if we'll have one next season but that's only about 8 months away and we have a long way to go.

Kevin13

January 10th, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^

was for the entire offensive line. I expect the interior to be improved next year with the likes of Bredeson, Ruiz, Onwenu which is 3/5 of the line. Then when it comes to tackle we have bodies, just need to find the right ones. Cole was a warrior, but in reality not that great of a tackle as he should be playing inside. It's not out of the question someone can step in and play the same level he did last year, so at the least a wash there. RT everyone is a year older and hopefully bigger, stronger and improved technique, so very possible the play there could improve and in it's entirety a better OL.

WorldwideTJRob

January 9th, 2018 at 5:43 PM ^

As I’ve stated before, we fall victim to the dreaded word “potential” nobody on offense outside of maybe Higdon, Evans has proven much as of sustained on the field production. We all think they’re good but they still have to prove it on the field. Until Patterson gets his waiver I don’t even think we should be discussed as a top 5 team.

WorldwideTJRob

January 9th, 2018 at 7:24 PM ^

By proven on field production...I hate it but we only beat 1 winning team this year. That’s not enough to think that most of those same cast of characters(especially on offense) can jump up and be one of the top teams in the country. Is it possible sure, they all may grow at a rapid rate in the offseason. However there is also an equal chance that their progression is normal or slower than what we think. We lose the best player on a struggling unit(OL) and for right now bring back most of the coaching staff on that side of the ball. I think we will be better but I’m not sure it’s top 15 or 5th best odds at a NC in 2018.

Kevin13

January 10th, 2018 at 9:47 AM ^

at WR those are very good numbers in just 3 games. He showed an ability to get open run routes and has good hands. That is 3 games of experience and another camp of working I have to believe he will improve more as all our WR's should. Not expecting all-american out of him but to be a damn good WR next year.

mgob-rad

January 9th, 2018 at 5:34 PM ^

Trust me, based on how we ended the season on offense, I completely agree with you. If the offense isn’t fixed we aren’t a top 15 team. But looking at Jim Harbaugh’s history of success at every level, odds are he’s going to find a way to fix the offense - and if he does that, we’re a top 15 team.

CLion

January 9th, 2018 at 6:17 PM ^

Exactly. People in this thread are suffering from recency bias. These are projections for next year. Everyone seemingly forgot this was a rebuilding year. I get having concerns for the offense, but if you don't expect major improvement from the worst passing offense since Bo's triple option 43 years ago, then you've essentially given up on Harbaugh.

Stringer Bell

January 9th, 2018 at 7:37 PM ^

Haven't given up on Harbaugh.  I have given up on Drevno and Hamilton though.  Until those guys are replaced, I'm not expecting a significant improvement in the offense.

MGoFunkadelic

January 9th, 2018 at 8:07 PM ^

who does harbaugh bring in for O Line?  watching Georgia and Alabama block yesterday made me seriously jealous about the quality of their O Lines.  Great Line play on both sides of the ball from both teams.  Our Defense is top shelf and even losing Mo Hurst i saw flashes from Dwunfour, Marshall, Soloman and several others that make me think the D Line will be great.

sum1valiant

January 9th, 2018 at 6:35 PM ^

O'korn was a flyer that he took when he got to Ann Arbor and realized the cupboard was pretty bare at QB. He made a monster out of an Iowa washout, turned Speight into something serviceable, and O'korn and Peters were forced into action due to injury when he obviously felt that weren't ready. Don't try to jump back on the bandwagon once it gets rolling again. You won't be missed.

Stringer Bell

January 9th, 2018 at 7:39 PM ^

When will they be ready though?  2 true freshmen played in the national championship game last night, both looked lightyears ahead of Peters despite him having an extra year of experience.  In this day and age, you can't be considered a QB whisperer if you can't get your QBs ready to perform before they're upperclassmen.

sum1valiant

January 9th, 2018 at 9:42 PM ^

Brandon Peters wasn't as regarded as either of those quarterbacks (there can be a vast difference between "good" and "elite"), nor was he playing behind either of those offensive lines, nor did he have the luxury of the running games those teams offer their QBs, nor did he have the complement of experienced receivers those QBs have.
When will he be ready? Who knows. He may be great, he may never be ready. I just know Harbaugh knew he wasn't ready the year, but didn't have a choice.

pescadero

January 10th, 2018 at 11:32 AM ^

He made a monster out of an Iowa washout

 

No.

Rudock improved slightly, but he really wasn't significantly better than he was the previous year at Iowa.

 

Rudock last year at Iowa:

61.7% completions, 2436 yards, 16TD, 5 INT, 7.1 Y/A

133.5 QB rating

 

Rudock last year at Iowa adjusted for increase in pass attempts:

61.7% completions, 2748 yards, 18TD, 6 INT, 7.1 Y/A

133.2 QB rating

 

Rudock at Michigan:

64.0% completions, 3017 yards, 20TD, 9 INT, 7.8 Y/A

141.1 QB rating

Leatherstocking Blue

January 9th, 2018 at 4:35 PM ^

Because prior to the Outback Bowl pitting two unranked 8-4 teams against each other, if you asked what you would like most to happen with this game, I think most fans would say, #1- no career ending injuries for either graduating or returning players. Aside from the playoff  bowls, all other bowl games have reverted to being what they were always intended to be: A chamber of commerce promotion to entice fans from cold weather states to come to a warm weather state and spend some money. 

It is meaningless, aside from a month of practice, and gives no indication of what to expect next year. 

 

Don

January 9th, 2018 at 4:43 PM ^

LOL what a steaming pantload.

I've been watching Michigan play bowl games since 1/1/1965, and I can guarantee that no Michigan fan EVER says "Eh, it's just a meaningless exhibition" after a bowl victory.

That line is only trotted out after one of our 25 bowl game losses to make somebody feel better.

I Like Burgers

January 9th, 2018 at 6:00 PM ^

Yeah any time a team loses a bowl game it’s because they weren’t interested in playing a meaningless game. But any time they win it’s because they were secretly a great team all along and the next season they’re going to win it all.