A review of Michigan beat-writers/experts projections for 2023 season and Harbaugh 2024 status (from Scott Bell Twitter/X)

Submitted by crg on January 25th, 2024 at 11:24 AM

A fun little reflection on some of the "expert" thoughts about how this season would progress.

I find it curious that more of them expected us to lose to Penn State than osu.

Link:  https://twitter.com/sbell021/status/1750518508843114583

MGoBoard
Football

Brimley

January 25th, 2024 at 11:43 AM ^

Bearing in mind that predictions are for funsises, I'm guessing that the general feel was, "Michigan is a REALLY good team but stupid shit happens all the time in college football." This goes back to when I was a kid and Bo would dump a game to Wisconsin or some damn thing. So, a lot of writers thought PSU might be the stupid shit game, being in their stadium and their having an excellent defense. If I recall correctly, a lot of board predictions weren't dissimilar.

That all said, I'm beginning to think that Seth is a wizard of some kind.

Joined: 03/22/2011

MGoPoints: 11698

MaizeBlueA2

January 25th, 2024 at 12:28 PM ^

Clearly Jim wasn't a bigger shocker if 50% predicted it before the season.

---------------------

Good stuff though, I obviously didn't know about the sanctions, but I, too, predicted 15-0.

I thought it would be 13-0 #1 UGA vs. 12-1 #4 Texas in the Sugar Bowl. And 13-0 #2 Michigan vs. 13-0 #3 FSU in the Rose Bowl.

I had UGA 28-20 and Michigan 35-34.

Then Michigan over UGA in Houston...27-20.

Most impressive win: OSU

Most surprising loss: None

OSU: 30-27

PSU: 24-16

MSU: 57-3 (Harbaugh goes for 2 for no reason other than the fact that he can...MSU elects to kick the pathetic 4th quarter FG against the walk-ons to prevent the donut)

Trap game was obviously Maryland, I can't believe there were other answers to that one.

MVP: JJ

Rusher: Corum

Receiver: Wilson

Sack: Stewart

Interceptions: Moore

Freshman: Cabana 🫣

...I believed Harbaugh when he said he was done. I thought he'd be back. Got that wrong in the preseason.

However, immediately after we won the national championship I sat in NRG just a touch happier than I was sad...because I knew it was over. I felt thankful more than anything. 

The season was like Jordan hitting the last shot over Russell. You knew at that point the dynasty was done. It's human nature, you have to go out in that moment. It doesn't get any better and the mission was accomplished. #TheLastDance

So as the confetti rained, I knew JJ was gone, Jim was gone, and that chapter was over. 

You know what it felt like? You ever read a really good book or watched a really good TV series and you feel kind of sad afterwards? That's what that moment felt like. Such an incredible ride.

That said, to this day it still feels like a rebuild rather than a reload. Not from scratch, the defense is filthy. But the offense right now looks rough and the depth is an issue.

Nothing that can't be resolved, but if you asked me today...with no roster changes, it feels like 9-3. 10-3 after the bowl.

In fact, the perfect comp right now is 2023 Penn St. - beat who you're supposed to beat, lose to you're supposed to lose to, crazy good defense. Only difference is I think we develop much better so I'd take our chances in any bowl because the young guys will be ready by then (see '23 Keon Sabb vs. Washington).

Get a fucking coaching staff locked in, infuse the offense with some experience and additional talent and all bets are off.

Joined: 11/06/2018

MGoPoints: 50290