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 4:00 PM ^
I have no idea what our record will be. Not even thinking about it. Right now just THRILLED we are playing.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:50 PM ^
Yeah. It's a year where I'd be HAPPY (from the PSU POV) with 0-8.
Simply playing is victory in itself. Because it's a tangible sign we're beginning to move forward.
If you asked me this in February, I would have been unsatisfied if PSU went 10-2. But expectations change for the strangest of reasons ................
September 17th, 2020 at 4:04 PM ^
I think it depends on the schedule. I'd be curious to know the crossovers matchups we'd have for this year. My guess is they'll want to be consistent with the two changing opponents on every team's schedule (this year: Purdue and Minny), dropping the annual (or "permanent") crossover from each schedule (Wisconsin).
The only problem with this solution is that Indiana and Purdue would get cancelled. But maybe they would arrange it so they automatically play each other in the 9th game?
Assuming this is the case... 7-1.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:05 PM ^
4-1 (other games not played)
September 17th, 2020 at 4:05 PM ^
Probably not as good as I hoped it to be before being gutted by opt outs and already being sparse at returning starters. Also depends on how the schedule shakes out and if our cross games are Wisky and Minny which are both toss-ups at best. 6-3 is generous and I'd take it--IMO.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:06 PM ^
So much depends on the schedule. If we dropped Minnesota and Wisconsin I would say 7-2. If they both are on the schedule I would probably go 5-4 or 6-3. The crossover games could be tough or not so tough. OSU and PSU will be tough for sure.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:06 PM ^
I'd prolly go with 6-3 or 7-2 with a loss to OSU, a split of PSU/Wiscy and a toss up against Minnesota if we play those two plus the east.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:12 PM ^
I have little faith. A new offensive line and a new Q.B. I see us struggling on offense the defense should be okay. I think 5-3 would be a good year.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:13 PM ^
Considering Purdue is guaranteed to be off the schedule, we lost Mayfield and Nico, I predict 6-3. Maybe 7-2. Meh.
#GoBlue
September 17th, 2020 at 4:14 PM ^
5 or 6 wins.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:17 PM ^
I have a feeling it'll be rocky and the offense will struggle more than the defense. But it's still a talented team so I could see them beating anyone other than OSU and also losing to a couple of teams they normally wouldn't.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:23 PM ^
7-2 and at worst 6-3. 5-4 would be unacceptable even in a COVID year.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:48 PM ^
Would you fire Harbaugh for 5-4 or does "unacceptable" actually mean "begrudgingly acceptable?"
September 17th, 2020 at 5:25 PM ^
Nope, nobody is getting fired this year. Just unacceptable in year 6. Can't see it happening either.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:23 PM ^
Not a clue but this would be the start of harbaughs final gasp at Michigan. I could care less about the record this year. It’s all about 2021. If he can mold Milton into a formidable QB and build an oline to protect him and show some effort against OSU then we will be in great shape for 2021. Come back in 2021 and give it your all! GO BLUE!
September 17th, 2020 at 4:25 PM ^
11-0! Natty!
Preseason happy joy!
September 17th, 2020 at 4:29 PM ^
6-3 or 5-4
September 17th, 2020 at 4:36 PM ^
I got us at 7 and 2, OSU loss and 1 other, most likely the Gofers
but put me down on record as a believer that we play 4 or less games due to COVID
September 17th, 2020 at 4:38 PM ^
"Thriller"?
September 17th, 2020 at 4:39 PM ^
Young team. All new O-Line.
Milton pretty green. New starting QBs are usually worth 2 losses, because they are going to struggle at times.
New starters at DB. Is Chris Hinton going to play with this new plan?
Enough talent to beat the teams we should, but unless this team matures in a hurry, probably not enough to win some tough games.
6-3, I guess, but my expectations were already lowered.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:41 PM ^
Assuming (probably incorrectly) that they make it through the whole year I'll say 6-3
5-3 during the regular season and then we beat whoever in that end of season crossover.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:44 PM ^
7-2, and then hopefully a bowl game for fun.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:49 PM ^
Bowl games can be fun?
September 17th, 2020 at 5:11 PM ^
smoking bowls is fun. bowl games are funt.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:50 PM ^
double comment. oops.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:50 PM ^
14-2 but we’ll lose to the Argonauts at Dodger Stadium in the best of 6 series of Eastern Conference Finale’s
September 17th, 2020 at 4:52 PM ^
11-0.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:53 PM ^
don't we need a schedule?
September 17th, 2020 at 4:56 PM ^
Threeve.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:58 PM ^
Depending on who we play week one, either 1-0 or 0-1 and then the season will be canceled
September 17th, 2020 at 6:58 PM ^
Wishful thinking on your part
September 17th, 2020 at 4:58 PM ^
Hard for me (I'm a homer) to say anything less than 8-1. Those road games (mainly Wisc) are not as daunting without the energy of the fans.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:37 PM ^
We played at Camp Randall last year so if we draw Wisconsin again, we almost assuredly won't be going to them. They'll be coming to us.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:01 PM ^
I think we need to see the schedule. Likely the league is going to try and avoid regular season cross-over matchups that could impede the +1 championship weekend. So you may see the perceived top 3 teams in each division as "protected", so that matchups are exciting at the end of the season.
For example, OSU / PSU / UM will not play UW / UI / UMin. That way the +1 game would have no chance at a repeat and be more exciting ... end of season true #1vs#1, #2vs#2, and #3vs#3.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:39 PM ^
Totally disagree! You’re forgetting the biggest influence on the schedule...TV execs! ESPN/Fox love the good crossover games in the middle of the season. Nobody will be paying attention to the other +1 crossover games because the championship games in the other conferences will be on that weekend.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:11 PM ^
Switching to an 8 team playoff? It’s about time!
September 17th, 2020 at 5:52 PM ^
No. 8 in division conference games, one cross division game, B10 championship game, two round playoff.
But we'll probably just go 7-2.
September 17th, 2020 at 8:57 PM ^
The cross division 9th game is championship week. #1 west will play #1 east, and the rest of the teams will also play the same week.
So there is no way we play 12 games this year unless the playoff expands.
September 18th, 2020 at 11:46 AM ^
Huh, that wasn't how I understood it. I'll have to re-read... the manuals. Read the manuals.
edit: yep, you're right.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:10 PM ^
This year will be so crazy there is no way to predict anything. We can't even get college going how's football going to work? I remember 2008 when Nick Sheridan was our best option at QB and when OSU came around I was like, why would we not just go Wildcat with Brandon Minor? When Sheridan dropped back to pass we prayed for incompletions. We may see some interesting offensive formations this year, with epic PSU 2016 LB like holes, 2008 UM QB holes. It may just be a matter of being able to keep seven lineman eligible - do that and you have a shot. Buckle up.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:15 PM ^
Unfortunately I’m going with 5-4.
I’m expecting to play Wisc and Minn in the crossover games. Add in OSU and PSU losses, and there are your 4. That’s assuming we don’t drop one to a team we shouldn’t.
Our championship crossover will be Minnesota, but since we already played them we’ll end up with Purdue or Nebraska. That gets us above .500.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:25 PM ^
I think we can get a rematch in week 9, never heard that we couldn’t play a team twice in the final week.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:43 PM ^
Alvarez mentioned it on Wednesday. Said they’re looking to avoid rematches if at all possible. I’m assuming they would just flip seeds if needed, like the NCAA b-ball tourney.
September 17th, 2020 at 7:29 PM ^
Ok PonyConquerer
September 17th, 2020 at 7:32 PM ^
Hardly—If I’d conquered him he wouldn’t still be here.