Michigan up to #19 in the coaches poll
September 19th, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
Seems about right - top 10 a strong possibility with wins the next two weeks. Still wish we played ND this year, just to be able to watch Kelly's head explode
September 19th, 2021 at 1:06 PM ^
Personally, I have found our matchups to be more than satisfying. This has been a great season thus far.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:40 PM ^
I like the way we've executed. We're playing like we know what we're doing. Combine that with beating everyone comfortably and yes I would say it's been more than satisfying.
September 19th, 2021 at 2:40 PM ^
Eh, I'm sick of playing Notre Dame and continually justifying their desperate need to remain an independent. I'd also like the image of a soaked-to-the-core Brian Kelly looking on forlornly to be the lasting memory of the rivalry for a while.
September 19th, 2021 at 2:46 PM ^
To hell with ND. I hope we never play them again I like how our schedule is playing out this year. A couple of easier games with a marquee game against an opponent that can help with national recruiting. Then conference play.
September 19th, 2021 at 4:01 PM ^
I remember in 2014 in our “last game against Notre Dame” when we lost 31-0 and how awful that felt to have them obliterate us in walkoff fashion, going out on top a la George Castanza.
Well they agreed to another small series against us in 2018 and 2019, and I now love the feeling that we got, getting to pants them on prime time and to have our own Castanza moment against Notre Dame. I’m cool with not playing them for a long time and leaving them with the most recent memory of a Michigan game being an absolute embarrassment for them.
September 19th, 2021 at 6:10 PM ^
"To hell with Notre Dame"
September 19th, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^
Seems to me there are a few teams ahead of us that we could beat. But it's a decent enough ranking for week 3.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
I feel there’s plenty of teams that could beat us but it also feels like if they played to their ability and keep improving they could hang with anybody.
Haven’t felt like that since 2016. Big Ten East looks strong.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
What has the been the biggest thing that has given you hope after these 3 weeks? I know you had very tempered expectations this year. The running game/o-line? Finally seeming like we have a coaching staff all on the same page? Harbaugh looking like Harbaugh again?
September 19th, 2021 at 1:25 PM ^
For me, it's what looks to be a greater cohesion in the coaching staff. I have nothing to work from other than snippets of articles, and what we see on the field. In past years there seemed a certain disjointedness ... times when we had no named OC; when we had no named QB coach; last year with a DB coach on paper only ... things like that. This year it seems the coaching staff is a unit. Again, no proof of anything, just a hunch.
September 19th, 2021 at 2:49 PM ^
I'd have go with Ohio State's defense...
That and our O-Line!
September 19th, 2021 at 3:06 PM ^
What has the been the biggest thing that has given you hope after these 3 weeks?
My 2c as a 7-5 expecting skeptic:
- The defense looking more than competent. Like, can do basic things very well. Few busts, the CBs look sticky in man most of the time. Edge containment on both sides. It's not perfect, but they are making opponents earn every yard by playing mistake free mentally and physically for the most part.
- The OL completely MASHING. Like flat paving opponents.Vastardis playing out of his mind and the Zinter injury getting better week by week is very encouraging for the future.
- The opponents - they aren't complete doo-doo. Washington's offense is a fucking mess, but M paving that D and putting up what should have been 38 non-garbage time points is a very big plus against a legit P5 defense. Western is a legit mid major dangerous offense. NIU beat a P5 team and while they are likely bad, I don't think they are bottom 10-20 bad and M erased their existance by 5 mins left in H1.
September 19th, 2021 at 4:19 PM ^
As another pre-season, 7-5/6-6 expecting skeptic, I'll throw in my comments.
First and foremost, the running game (of course). But what's giving me hope is the increased skills on the OL and RBs over previous years. The OL is opening bigger holes, and the RBs are hitting them better and faster. In previous non-conference games under Harbaugh, it's felt like we've run the ball well enough, but this is another level. Backs are consistently getting to -- and past -- the secondary for big, big plays to put games out of reach early. I knew the running game would be good against these teams, but it's been otherworldly.
Secondly, the team is executing at a higher level than in years before. Numbering problem notwithstanding, all three phases are showing crisp execution and less mental errors. This, along with the first point, shows that coaching is generally better. Hart and Moore (in his new role) look to be excelling.
Last, I am cautiously more optimistic are picking up and executing the defense more quickly than expected. We'll see more soon, but it seems as though the defense is ahead of the expected learning curve.
I still have concerns, but those aren't for this thread.
September 19th, 2021 at 5:42 PM ^
What I’ve seen early to make me revisit expectations is:
1) strong oline play
2) defense that adjusts
3) home run threat in the backfield. Haskins is a terrific back and he gets so many yards after contact. Hes an excellent to the team but he’s not housing it. Every time Corum touches the ball he’s a threat.
4) Big plays. This team has more big plays in 3 games than I can remember with other teams.
offense is going to need to continue to adapt to win in Madison or happy valley and probably East Lansing. Cornelius Johnson looked like he’s getting more comfortable.
What remains to be seen is:
1) how does this team perform away from home?
2) How do they respond when they’re punched in the mouth?
September 19th, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^
Oklahoma still at #3? At the very least, I would've swapped them with Oregon at #3. You just can't let a 7-point win over Nebraska go unpunished.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:12 PM ^
Especially coming two weeks after a 5-point win against Tulane.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
Okie winning a close game against a (former?) rival would be excusable if they hadn't also nearly lost to Tulane.
Early season rankings are always silly, but it's absurd how overrated Oklahoma is based on actual, you know, games played rather than reputation/expectation.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
Based on where we started and where the teams ahead of us started this is about right. Even though I think we have shown to be better than quite a few teams ahead of us. Win these next two weeks and we will soon approach top 10 talks.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
September 19th, 2021 at 1:23 PM ^
I would say it’s a bit low, but a normal progression from #25 last week.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:24 PM ^
Fresno State behind UCLA?
September 19th, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^
Fresno belongs in the conversation as the best group of 5 team this year with Cincy, Coastal Carolina, and BYU
September 19th, 2021 at 8:40 PM ^
And this is part of the reason why preseason polls are so damn worthless.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:31 PM ^
Michigan State could be undefeated going into the 'Backyard brawl'. Them guys looked pretty good against Miami; I know it's not Miami of old, but they have plenty of NFL talent on that team. It's a good thing we look pretty good so far too; I get the feeling the 2021 version of the brawl is going to be one for the ages.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
Isn't the backyard brawl WVU v. Pitt?
September 19th, 2021 at 1:54 PM ^
It is. I have never heard that term used for Michigan vs. Michigan State.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:59 PM ^
“Mom, mom, Paul Bunyan is in the backyard beating up Uncle Ted”
September 19th, 2021 at 2:50 PM ^
Yea, other than the 'Backyard Brawl' label, I'm with you here. I was hopeful MSU would be a dumpster fire under Tucker but he's gotten them formidable MUCH quicker than I would have thought. Should be an interesting game.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^
Right now we are about where we should expect. They've been winning but against poor competition. This week opens up the B1G conference play and I hope to see much the same continue in a drubbing against our big rival Rutgers. /s
This team is really impressing me despite the competition. I've said I was waiting to see how we fare against Wisconsin, but every week they are just knocking the stuffing out of their competition and all facets of the game look to not only be improved but continuing to improve. I'm sold! GO BLUE!
September 19th, 2021 at 2:00 PM ^
#19 in the polls, #1 in our hearts
September 19th, 2021 at 2:03 PM ^
Behind Coastal Carolina who barely squeaked by Buffalo.
Though at this early stage, should probably pay as little attention to these as possible.
Somehow, Miami has a vote in the coaches poll. Not sure which Miami it is, but they are both 1-2!
September 19th, 2021 at 2:03 PM ^
Ehh, wake me up after Wiscy.
September 19th, 2021 at 2:04 PM ^
Just have to wonder how the Badgers climbed two spots while sitting idle with a 1-1 record. I guess the voters thought mighty highly of Wisconsin's win over Eastern Michigan 8 days ago.
September 19th, 2021 at 4:56 PM ^
Their loss to PSU looks better, and teams in front of them loss. They’ve got ND this week, so if they win they’ll justify this ranking (maybe even move up); If they lose, they’ll drop out.
September 19th, 2021 at 2:33 PM ^
Too high. Beat Rutgers.
September 19th, 2021 at 2:39 PM ^
It's more about HOW Michigan won by soundly beating the point spread each time. Many of the teams ranked ahead of our guys either looked shaky in victory or lost a game they should have won.
Keep winning, baby! The next two weeks will tell us a lot more; Go Blue!!
September 19th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
Also #19 in the AP Poll.
September 19th, 2021 at 2:47 PM ^
LFG!!! We still have another week to fine tune our passing attack before invading the land of Cheese Curds!!
September 19th, 2021 at 3:00 PM ^
This is the reason why I don't worry too much about polls.
If Michigan keeps winning, they'll keep moving up...it only becomes an issue when you get to a point you have the same record with teams that were ranked ahead of you in the preseason polls...then it gets a bit into subjectivity
September 19th, 2021 at 3:09 PM ^
I just can't comprehend that anyone was stupid enough to give Maimi that one vote. Must've been Mel Tucker.
September 19th, 2021 at 3:16 PM ^
Still early. Keep on winning and the polls will take care of themselves.
September 19th, 2021 at 3:21 PM ^
They think Coastal Carolina is better? Ouch
September 19th, 2021 at 3:34 PM ^
Michigan, Michigan State, and Fresno State (ranked behind UCLA lol) are too low. Iowa State, North Carolina, and Wisconsin have no business being above any of those teams.
September 19th, 2021 at 4:13 PM ^
I also cannot believe TA&M is still a top 5 to the coaches after their pathetic showing against a Colorado team that just lost big and got shut out by Minnesota. Also not at all convinced Clemson or Iowa is a top 10 team.
September 19th, 2021 at 8:42 PM ^
Early in the season you can count on whatever SEC team hasn't yet lost to be ranked 15 or below (Arkansas, Ole Miss).
September 19th, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^
Remarkably underrated. Maybe that's a good thing at this point in the season. Rather be underrated than overrated in September.
September 19th, 2021 at 4:33 PM ^
Oklahoma will end the season unranked.
Cincy will lose by 3 touchdowns to ND.