Here's a ridiculous thought...

Submitted by UESWolverine on

Is there a scenario where Michigan finishes #1 in the country as the National Champion with wins over the #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 and #7 ranked team when the final polls come out?  We already have wins against 3 of the current top 10 -  and they could improve or maintain their rankings as long as they won the rest of their games (except for Wisconsin in the B1G Championship game if we played them). It's crazy to even consider - and I don't care who we have to play to get there, but the reality is that we'd have to play 4 of the next 5 games against teams ranked #7 or higher to win the NC. So it potentially could happen, no? 

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schreibee

November 16th, 2016 at 2:39 PM ^

I do realize you can't practice any harder or smarter this week after that disheartening performance in Iowa City, but Jeebus... to follow that up with anything other than teeth grinding and fervent is hope a display of optimism I cannot even begin to match. 

An optimism unknown to mankind, let's call it!

Joined: 11/02/2009

MGoPoints: 21143

VikingDiet

November 16th, 2016 at 8:26 AM ^

It cracks me up when fans feel like they have an obligation not to look forward in the schedule, like their focus and preparation plays some role in the next game. I'm not picking on you, it's everywhere, but it is ridiculous.

We're fanatics. We are going to fanat.

Joined: 09/02/2014

MGoPoints: 2116

Mgodiscgolfer

November 16th, 2016 at 7:38 AM ^

I would say that team lost the worst heartbreaking game I have ever watched. And they bounced back just fine from that one. I would venture to guess that many teams out there with that kind of a heartbreaker could lose the next week at the very least, maybe even go straight into the tank and not even make a bowl game.

Joined: 01/13/2011

MGoPoints: 5322

Ty Butterfield

November 16th, 2016 at 12:58 AM ^

For the love of God beat Indiana. If RR and Hoke didn't lose to Indiana then Harbaugh fuckin better not lose.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: -81685

JTrain

November 16th, 2016 at 7:41 AM ^

Yes. This. Our D needs to tighten things up. We have looked less than impressive in the last 2 out of three games. Seems as tho people have consistently and efficiently attacked our weakness. I want adjustment made. And execution. Lots of execution. If we are going to beat the bucs at their home in senior day we are going to have to be no less than DOMINANT.



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Joined: 12/08/2012

MGoPoints: 8459

anywaytodelete…

November 16th, 2016 at 9:16 AM ^

Game on the line, defense has to get a stop against a less than 1-dimensional offense, and defense not only gives up the field goal, but 2 first downs to ensure there is no time left on the clock for any possibility of a heroic last second comeback?

A great defense doesn't give up ground easily, caves in the offensive line, and at the very least forces a difficult field goal try.  A truly great defense turns the field goal try into total mayhem.

Put some blame on the coaching staff for not challenging the 2nd first down to preserve 30 seconds for a possible comeback (and for not being prepared for the obvious QB draw), but do you really have confidence in this defense in a pressure situation against a really good offense?

I think the team has plenty left to prove, in all phases of the game.  Iowa is the only team we've played on the road that has a pulse, and the team not only lost, but simply didn't look like they were up to the task (yes, if Speight shows some touch on the deep ball, they might have won by 5 touchdowns, but they didn't, and the game was otherwise pretty much even).

Seems to me that we really are in situation where the mantra applies -- not much to talk about unless we beat Ohio State, or at least look really good when we play them.

Joined: 10/21/2015

MGoPoints: 281

columnatedruins

November 16th, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^

Yup.

Lack of adjustment on D was A problem (coaching, not personnel).  Lack of execution on O was The problem (personnel, not coaching).

We clearly do a LOT better when we go up by a few scores & put other teams on their heels.  Fail to score points left our D in a bad bad situation.  And while they might not be a "Great" D, they shouldn't be blamed for the O's inability to hang points on the board.

Joined: 12/17/2009

MGoPoints: 150

columnatedruins

November 16th, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^

Yup.

Lack of adjustment on D was A problem (coaching, not personnel).  Lack of execution on O was The problem (personnel, not coaching).

We clearly do a LOT better when we go up by a few scores & put other teams on their heels.  Fail to score points left our D in a bad bad situation.  And while they might not be a "Great" D, they shouldn't be blamed for the O's inability to hang points on the board.

Joined: 12/17/2009

MGoPoints: 150