We're halfway there: looking ahead to our schedule
We're halfway through the season right now, and so far we're doing much better than expected. We're 4-2 with two very close losses and are perfect at home. Looking at the next six games, here's what I think:
Delaware State, Purdue, Illinois: Wins. None have looked particularly good this year, and two are at home, which can only help us. Revenge games against Purdue and Illinois help too.
Wisconsin: I put this separate because it's an away game, and IME it's our hardest game left. Wisconsin's offense did well against OSU's defense and they made Pryor look like crap. Also, it's in Camp Randall, which is always a tough place to play.That said, our performance against Iowa should show that we can hold our own with the elite of the Big Ten, even away. We'll have Molk back by then, and it's our penultimate game, so we'll be at the best of the season. It'll be close, but I think another heartbreaking loss like Iowa.
Penn State: They seem overrated, but it's hard to tell considering they haven't played anyone except Iowa. It's at home, which is always good for us. Their offense couldn't produce against Iowa's defense, but Darryl Clark is good on the pass, while our secondary is still suspect, so I'll give the edge to PSU. Our offense can take on PSU's defense, especially considering Iowa's ability to score on them and hoping for Molk back. I give us a slight edge. What we have, though, is home field advantage, which is a HUGE plus for us. We've always done very well at home, and I think we'll continue. Close game, but we pull it out.
OSU: This is always tough. They don't look good at all this year. Pryor still looks like a freshman, and their defense was torched by the speedier parts of Wisconsin's offense. This is probably the most vulnerable they've looked in a long time. It's also Pryor's first time in the Big House, which is hungry for Buckeye blood. Suffice it to say, the intangibles are in our favor. What this game comes down to is our ability to put up points on their defense. They got a lot of sacks on Wisconsin's QB and a lot of defensive points. It'll be close, and it'll be a good game, and I think we pull it out on a last-second Forcier clutch drive.
Final record: 9-3 (5-3), Outback Bowl
Delaware State, Purdue, Illinois: Wins. None have looked particularly good this year, and two are at home, which can only help us. Revenge games against Purdue and Illinois help too.
Wisconsin: I put this separate because it's an away game, and IME it's our hardest game left. Wisconsin's offense did well against OSU's defense and they made Pryor look like crap. Also, it's in Camp Randall, which is always a tough place to play.That said, our performance against Iowa should show that we can hold our own with the elite of the Big Ten, even away. We'll have Molk back by then, and it's our penultimate game, so we'll be at the best of the season. It'll be close, but I think another heartbreaking loss like Iowa.
Penn State: They seem overrated, but it's hard to tell considering they haven't played anyone except Iowa. It's at home, which is always good for us. Their offense couldn't produce against Iowa's defense, but Darryl Clark is good on the pass, while our secondary is still suspect, so I'll give the edge to PSU. Our offense can take on PSU's defense, especially considering Iowa's ability to score on them and hoping for Molk back. I give us a slight edge. What we have, though, is home field advantage, which is a HUGE plus for us. We've always done very well at home, and I think we'll continue. Close game, but we pull it out.
OSU: This is always tough. They don't look good at all this year. Pryor still looks like a freshman, and their defense was torched by the speedier parts of Wisconsin's offense. This is probably the most vulnerable they've looked in a long time. It's also Pryor's first time in the Big House, which is hungry for Buckeye blood. Suffice it to say, the intangibles are in our favor. What this game comes down to is our ability to put up points on their defense. They got a lot of sacks on Wisconsin's QB and a lot of defensive points. It'll be close, and it'll be a good game, and I think we pull it out on a last-second Forcier clutch drive.
Final record: 9-3 (5-3), Outback Bowl
October 11th, 2009 at 12:06 PM ^
I'm reluctant to assume we'll win against any team- the effects from last year but I agree with your predictions. At the beginning of the season I predicted 7-8 wins at most but saying 9 wins is very much possible. Heck, I would even say we get the monkey off our back in Wisky with a tough road game.
October 11th, 2009 at 12:30 PM ^
Michigan is likely to beat Delaware State, Purdue, and Illinois, which gets them to 7-5. The Wolverines will be underdogs in all of their other games (PSU, Wisky, OSU), and it's wishful thinking to expect miracles every time. Indeed, it is quite possible that Michigan has used up its quota of miracles for the season.
October 11th, 2009 at 3:22 PM ^
It won't take a miracle to beat wisconsin or PSU or OSU at home.
October 11th, 2009 at 3:23 PM ^
Oh no! the oft rumored seldom seen double post.