What will Michigan's Football record be this year?
Understanding the schedule is not out yet, we know there will 8 conference games along with a "championship crossover" game.
I see a 6-3 record with some growing pains similar to early last season. OSU and Wisconsin will be trouble and I can see an additional road loss.
I hope for Harbaugh's sake, Milton looks like a top 3 Big Ten QB by year end.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:35 PM ^
I honestly have no clue. Michigan's in a weird middle spot where they're talented enough that guys are sitting out for the NFL, but not so talented that guys are returning for a title run like OSU. I'm not sure the less talented teams of the Big Ten will see as many opt outs as Michigan or Penn State will
I kinda feel like everyones gonna suck a little bit across the league, but I feel like Gattis' offense should be pretty good as long as Milton is ok. No idea how the D will look. I'll say 6-3
September 17th, 2020 at 3:45 PM ^
So who wins the 9th game?
September 17th, 2020 at 3:46 PM ^
If I understand correctly, each B1G team will play 9 games. All teams play 8 games and a crossover, but only 2 of those teams will be playing for the B1G championship.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:42 PM ^
Aha, thanks. Every reference thus far was an 8 game season and that was it assuming you made the B1G Championship game. I'd of course love to be there but after the last 18 years, just not seeing us getting past OSU this year especially in consideration of the fact that our 9ft WR just went pro.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:18 PM ^
It is weird seeing UM and PSU be good enough to have NFL talent but not enough to get over the hump.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:08 PM ^
PSU sorta got over the hump when they won the B1G a few years back. Michigan was pretty much there in 2016.
Unfortunately, almost getting over the hump once every 4-5 years is probably the best we can expect with OSU in their current form.
September 17th, 2020 at 6:21 PM ^
Joe Milton was 3 for 7 with TD and an INT last year. Defenses will make him throw the ball to win. Realistically I see Michigan going 5-3 as a best case scenario. Praying for 7-1.
September 17th, 2020 at 7:18 PM ^
came here to say 5-3
6-2 is a very good year and 4-4 is possible if Milton struggles
September 18th, 2020 at 11:34 AM ^
He’s not 1 QB because he’s at last years level. Reports are he didnt work on his golf game this summer. He honed his skills wit Devin Gardner
September 20th, 2020 at 7:43 PM ^
You think Joe Milton beat DM out for the QB 1 job with his running ability lol. He must be moving the offense very well if he beat out DM for the starting job. I will not be surprised if this Michigan team shocks the B1G.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:38 PM ^
I hate to say it, but I think the first 8 M goes 4-4. Of course, difficult to consider because of potential COVID-related issues. I see losses to OSU, Wisconsin, and Penn State. I think it depends on our other West Division crossover game. If it is Minnesota, that could go either way. Purdue? Illinois? I like our chances.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:40 PM ^
7-1...sigh
September 17th, 2020 at 3:46 PM ^
"Thought you were going to avoid a soul dong-punch this year, eh?"
September 17th, 2020 at 3:55 PM ^
Sigh? That's optimistic.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:58 PM ^
I’m guessing the sigh is another buckeye beat down
September 17th, 2020 at 4:28 PM ^
I’ll start by saying that there won’t be any real “advantage” to playing at home vs on the road since no fans will be there. I don’t think Wisconsin, PSU or Minnesota are more talented or any better coached than UM, so I do expect UM to win those. Under normal circumstances on the road at Minnesota would be a Minnesota lean from me while I’d be even more confident in UM over Wisconsin and PSU at home. OSU is OSU. Maybe no fans makes OSU come out flat and UM is able to take advantage. I wouldn’t bet one of your dollars on it though.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:52 PM ^
We don't have any sample size of head-to-head with Fleck so I'll let that pass but how do you justify all Michigan's recent losses to Wisconsin and PSU if they're neither more talented nor better coached?
September 17th, 2020 at 5:39 PM ^
Home field advantage
September 17th, 2020 at 6:26 PM ^
You think they beat us 35-14 last year because of "home field advantage"?
September 17th, 2020 at 5:51 PM ^
We’ve alternated beatdowns with psu since Harbaugh has been here, and have split with wisky too. You’re acting like we’re an an osu-level losing streak
September 17th, 2020 at 6:42 PM ^
No. I'm acting like Wisconsin and Penn State are pretty much on par with Michigan. Other dude is acting like "Of course we're going to beat Wisconsin and Penn State. We're superior in all facets."
September 17th, 2020 at 6:51 PM ^
Harbaugh beat Fleck 33-10 with his worst Michigan team in 2017. Plus the argument goes the other way, how do you justify Wisconsin and Penn State's road beat downs at Michigan if they're more talented than Michigan? Those series have been all about home field advantage
September 18th, 2020 at 12:43 PM ^
This ain’t 2017. Fleck is scary and one the best young coaches in America.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:58 PM ^
Any advantage won't be because they're at home...it will be these guys.
September 17th, 2020 at 8:11 PM ^
"Maybe no fans makes OSU come out flat"
There's a better chance of pigs flying. The whole effing state of Ohio goes ape shit during Michigan week
September 17th, 2020 at 5:50 PM ^
We should throw the Indiana game this year. Send out the 3's and walkons and spend that week getting ready for OSU.
Maybe letting Indy finally win one will break the OSU curse?
November 8th, 2020 at 8:50 AM ^
^He gets it
September 17th, 2020 at 3:40 PM ^
10 wins, just like every year
September 17th, 2020 at 4:40 PM ^
9-0. Hand the Ryan "fucking asshole" Day and the Buckeyes a beat down. But the world will scoff because COVID.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:41 PM ^
Just another 9-10 win season...
September 17th, 2020 at 3:44 PM ^
Given what we know, I expect a loss at OSU, and one or two losses between PSU, Minn, and Wisc. (Assuming we still play them)
I'll predict we beat PSU and Wisconsin and lose to Minn.
Sooo 6-2. +1 win over second or third place in the west, which I think we can win. 7-2 overall
September 17th, 2020 at 4:13 PM ^
My "glass half-full" personality says that this seems right...
If it turns out that Milton's not as ready as we hoped... well... it's not too late for the B1G to change course on cancelling the season again, right...?
September 17th, 2020 at 8:39 PM ^
Agree completely. It’s a 5-3 or 6-2 season depending on how we play at QB and recover from other departures.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:45 PM ^
Probably not very good
September 17th, 2020 at 3:46 PM ^
4-2
Anyone that thinks they are squeezing 9 games in without breaks is nuts.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:48 PM ^
3-4 losses most likely
2 would be a solid, if not strong result
September 17th, 2020 at 3:50 PM ^
I think they'll be good enough for the season to be entertaining. The key to me is do they finally decide to start prioritizing scoring points or do we get the young QB manball BS again?
September 17th, 2020 at 4:44 PM ^
Full upside Joe Milton: Cam Newton.
Full downside Joe Milton: Steven Threet
September 17th, 2020 at 5:06 PM ^
Nick Sheridan not Threet
September 17th, 2020 at 5:06 PM ^
I think if they baby him and only let him throw on 3rd down Threet becomes more likely.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:06 PM ^
Not exactly Manball...... but unless Gattis' system is less technical for receivers I expect you won't see a fully weaponized pass game. We have 4 scholarship WRs that have any experience (only 6 total) and I believe only Johnson is significantly over 6'. (Schoenle has been getting camp hype for a few years as a Walk On - time to shine young man).
Add in the history that only Black was ready right away out of the 2017 "super class" of WR and it is more hope than expectation for significant things immediately from Henning and Wilson.
I do get the impression that Gattis is the type of guy to adapt to his personnel and is probably much more confident now with a complete year under his belt as an OC. I expect you will see a lot more two back sets that can convert to 4 or 5 wide sets (including the TEs flexing out.) This would help retain the wide-open nature of the offense, utilize the deep, varied stable of RBs, and not put to much stress on a young/thin WR position group.
#mytwocents
September 17th, 2020 at 5:11 PM ^
Don't sell yourself short, that was a reasonable explanation and was worth at least three cents. They could conceivably prioritize scoring without necessarily throwing the ball a ton.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:52 PM ^
There is no way they play the whole season. We’ll be lucky to play 5,6 games max. But better than nothing. I’m excited to see Milton
September 17th, 2020 at 3:55 PM ^
Painful
September 17th, 2020 at 3:57 PM ^
undefeated, duh.
Why, you ask?
JOE MILTON.
The questions vary, but the answer is always the same:
JOE MILTON
JOE MILTON
JOE MOTHERF**KING MILTON
Soon we will get to see what a defeated Buckeye looks like. It's been too long. It is time. MILTON time.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:47 PM ^
God bless Joe "MF-ing" Milton. May he fulfill the unrealized promise of Devin Gardner. No that it was ever Devin's fault. The poor guy had to overcome RichRod and Al Borges.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:58 PM ^
6-3 with another unfortunate blowout loss to osu.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:58 PM ^
4-4 prior to the zipper game.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:58 PM ^
This is a little tough without seeing a schedule, but I think 7-1 is the absolute ceiling. 6-2 is unlikely but possible. 5-3 is probable. 4-4 is rough but possible.