Better Perspective

[Mike Furley]

The season isn't over yet so the rankings may yet change further, but as of today, November 29, CBS has dropped Michigan to 79th in their rankings of the 120 Football Bowl Division teams. http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/polls

Let's see how the 2009 season played out for Michigan:

Sep 05: Western Michigan #93 - UM victory 31-7
Sep 12: Notre Dame #60 - UM victory 38-34
Sep 19: Eastern Michigan #119 - UM victory 45-17
Sep 26: Indiana #83 - UM victory 36-33
Oct 03: @ Michigan State #55 - UM defeat 20-26
Oct 10: @ Iowa #09 - UM defeat 28-30
Oct 17: Delaware St - unranked 1-AA team (4-6 record) - UM victory 63-6
Oct 24: Penn State #10 - UM defeat 10-35
Oct 31: @ Illinois #95 - UM defeat 13-38
Nov 07: Purdue #71 - UM defeat 36-38
Nov 14: @Wisconsin #22 - UM defeat 24-45
Nov 21: Ohio State #07 - UM defeat 10-21

For those members of the board who think I am wrong in thinking Michigan did not improve this year, please give me some facts that support your contention. I do not view going 5-7 to be an improvement over last year's 3-9 record when the teams you beat are ranked 93, 60, 119, 83, and an unranked Division 1-AA program that finished with a losing record.

[amazinblue]

Mike,

What was Michigan ranked after the 2008 season?

And, what is the formula by which these rankings are determined? Is it as straightforward as the BCS ranking system, or a bit more convoluted?

Michigan still has issues / challenges - we turned the ball over far too much this season. We were better on exchanges of possession, but poorer (with respect to holding on to the ball) on offense.

IMO, regardless of what any "ranking" says. I do believe the team is progressing. The issues are depth of roster and experience. And, I don't see those issues being resolved in one recruiting class or by off-season conditioning / practice. It will take time - and, we'll continue to improve.

Go Blue...