Michigans record in 09

[bighousemike84]

Take your pick what do you think will be Michigans record in 2009

[1OSUNUT]

Why can't you pick 3-9 ?

[tpilews]

Why can't you pick 3-9 ?

Because they're not going to go 3-9, that's why.

[bighousemike84]

Because they're not going to go 3-9, that's why.

You are correct sir

[UM4life]

With all the home games and a QB (after watching the spring game) I feel, right now, 7-5 is realistic optimism.

[bighousemike84]

you know its funny because 09 is a complete 180 from 08 for me. I have full confidence in the offense. Sure I know Forcier is a freshman and I think at times he will show that but the bottom line is that the kid is good. The defense however im not so sure of. Im not freaking out and im not really worrying to much but I do believe that the defense is going to go through some growing pains this year and that will most likely cost M a game or two

[tpilews]

you know its funny because 09 is a complete 180 from 08 for me. I have full confidence in the offense. Sure I know Forcier is a freshman and I think at times he will show that but the bottom line is that the kid is good. The defense however im not so sure of. Im not freaking out and im not really worrying to much but I do believe that the defense is going to go through some growing pains this year and that will most likely cost M a game or two

I agree that '08 and '09 are complete role reversals. The thing about this defense is that they're thin and young. However, they are talented. When you look at the D-line, sure UM lost Taylor, but arguably, Martin had a better year than Taylor. I look for him to have a big year this year. Obviously, Brandon Graham is going to be a beast and will open up other opportunities for guys to make plays when he is being double teamed. Mouton and Ezeh will be fine. Once Turner gets to AA, the secondary will have an immediate jump up in talent. I expect him to play a lot this year. Vlad looks like he's securing a safety spot. That's great considering he was a 5-star lock without his injury. He still ended up a 4-star and didn't play a down his senior year. Warren and Cissoko should have good years.

Bottom line is, is that UM still has 4 and 5 star players everywhere on defense. If they can play up to their potential, instead of down like in previous years, we'll be alright.

There is a definite drop off from the first team to the second team. The real question will be how durable the first team can be. Will they fall apart from being on the field all the time? UM needs to control the clock to give the defense time to rest.

[1OSUNUT]

Who are the 5 loses ?

[Mich97c]

I have no faith in our defense this year. Maybe if my expectations are low I'll be suprised but we can be anywhere from 7-5 to 4-8.

[bluefan]

Where's the 12-0?

[1OSUNUT]

That would be just plain stupid to even think that.

[rickyleach]

8 and 4, michigan gets beat by iowa, nd, penn state, and wisky

[MAIZEandBLUEsuedeshoes]

As long as our defense isn't back on the field like last year-- that should be a huge plus right there..(even with last years defense). A better offense, in time, will kill 2 birds with one stone--- we will score more, and our defense will get a rest.

Our offense has had enough rest in my opinion...

[1OSUNUT]

Im glad DickyLeach is picking Michigan to beat the Buckeyes this year. He did the same thing last year - and we know how that turned out.

[BBA1994]

Im glad DickyLeach is picking Michigan to beat the Buckeyes this year. He did the same thing last year - and we know how that turned out.

No guarantee UM beats tuos this year. Only three things in life are guaranteed: death, taxes, and nut slobbering on tressy's swizzler.

[BlueBallers]

8 and 4, michigan gets beat by iowa, nd, penn state, and wisky

I think that Mich will beat either Wisc or Iowa

[rickyleach]

thats right nut were not only going to beat your suckeyes this season, we are going to be a force within the big10, rich rod is putting together all of the puzzle and not to long into the future ,you ,donny , silverpuss and tressel will be a thing of the past, your gonna get what you deserve and thats a good ole asss beating by your daddy , AND YOUR DADDY HAS BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE MEECHIGAN, nut and when im at the game this november, im going to look you up and kick the sshit out of you, especially after we stuff it down your throats

[Bighouse]

Well written leach.....well written

[MICHDAD1]

O.K. Most people are playing it safe in their picks, but not me. After watching last year and analyzing the key plays that turned the games into losses I can see a 10-2 and a win over fosu. Michigan was just a couple of key plays away from going 6-6, or 7-5 with a terrible O-line and no QB. I believe we have filled those positions nicely and we are going to see a huge surprise. Laugh if you will, but you know the ole saying.

[Bossgobbler23]

I think 7-5 is most likely. The D will hurt a bit this year but it wasn't that great last year. The difference from last year to this is that we have a QB that can be a threat to pass accurately downfield, and run. We will have offense this year.

[rickyleach]

michigandad1 , really good post, i love how positive you are, you just might be right, a few less turnovers, better qb play , a couple breaks here or there and we could have won 6 or 7 games. i feel 8 games this season ,but ill sure as heck take 10, and we will be the university of ohio state, they dont have a qb that can throw. plus the coach they have has lost his luster..

[MAIZEandBLUEsuedeshoes]

I'm an 8-4 guy myself, and I think a well needed improvement in our offense this season(I think it will happen, with growing pains for sure) will be the best thing that could happen to our defense--and overall for the team.

I'd like to see this poll again--right before B10 conference play begins. I'm not ruling anything out.

[RealSchool]

6-6

I think we lose the first game to WMU, but get our shit together as the season goes on and beat OSU at home.

[Buzz]

I debated between 8-4, and 7-5. Most likely I think Michigan will go 7-5. A lot of their games this coming season will likely come down to the team who makes the least mistakes. I think we'll see a drastic reduction in mistakes as opposed to last season.

As for the defense, I think we'll see a 180, the secondary will be pretty good, and the DL will suffer.....Michigan is light on talent IMO, and definitely on numbers and experience there.

[The Michigan Man]

The 2009 football team is going to be similar to this year's basketball team. A big, surprising step up, a lot of thrills, but still some big lapses and let downs that will be frustrating at times.

[RichRodriguez]

12-0

(10 character min)

[Wolvrin704]

I'm going with 7-5 for this year. I think there will be allot of improvment but we'll still see allot of mistakes. 2010 will be the payoff year IMO where we start to see real results. By that time we'll have experienced QB's and skill players, plus an experienced D and allot of great recruits in position with allot of speed.

[bluefan]

Still waiting on that 12-0 option.

[bluestimestwo]

Ricky is right - we were a few plays away from 6-6 or 7-5 last year. Utah (horrible Sheridan pick before the half leads to easy points), Toledo (Threet's pick-6; fumble returned for a TD whistled dead), NW (Threet overthrow of TE in endzone; pick return for TD incorrectly ruled OOB), and Purdue (any defensive stop, just one) could easily have gone the other way. State was close until the end, and we led PSU at the half. Despite the obvious growing pains, the team was not as bad as the record indicated.

I say 8-4. 7-5 is pretty attainable, and hopefully we get a few bounces that we didn't get last year.

Offense:
Overall - Faster, more depth, more experience in the system, more players that fit the system = significant improvement
O-line - improved and better depth
Backs - better depth, faster, and healthier
QBs - improved, despite lack of experience (last year they were inexperienced AND slow/inaccurate); these guys are built for the system
Receivers - more depth, faster, more experience

Defense:
Overall - Young, lacking depth, new system, but faster and hopefully better fundamentals = not much better or worse than last year, probably improving over the course of the year
D-line - slightly worse (depth problem, young)
LBs - hopefully experience and some young speed will help
CBs - solid, improved over last year (don't mind losing Trent)
Safeties - can't help but be better, better depth

Having a top kicker coming in won't hurt either.

[Don Unverferth]

This thread needs a sticky so it can stay at the top of the board. I'm going to have a lot of fun with these predictions in November.

[rickyleach]

And don ill be right there to shove it down your hole.......

[Don Unverferth]

And don ill be right there to shove it down your hole.......


Hey Dicky, what is your prediction? I mean your track record isn't exactly stellar. You had Pryor going to UM, guaranteed. :D:D:D

[Bighouse]

Hey Dicky, what is your prediction? I mean your track record isn't exactly stellar. You had Pryor going to UM, guaranteed. :D:D:D
OSU will be 9-3. Then the typical bowl loss. 9-4

[GoGreen23]

Not that anyone really cares what I think about UM's record next season, but I have them going at least 6-6. The non-conference season should help you guys out because its pretty soft. But hey, so is State's this year. (We're trying the OSU method and playing every team form MI, except Eastern).

The conference season is where you guys will have some trouble this season. Michigan will probably make a bowl this year too.

[mgoblue1]

I'm hoping for 8-4 and a convincing bowl win so that the program is on the upswing at the end of the season, building that momentum that all of us are starting to feel. I think we'll start off a lot better this year with 2 dangerous qb's that have to stay healthy, minimal mistakes, MINOR all season long running with a fucking purpose as he tends to do, etc. The D is gonna have to do as much as they can, but we may have to be a team that's gonna let "you score 31, we're gonna scored 35 or more". There was enough times the D last year put the O back on the field to do something and nothing happened, like Y2K. Just not productive enough. GO BLUE!

[amazinblue]

Don,

I'm sure you'll keep reminding us.

I debated between 8-4 and 7-5, and voted for 7-5. I do have dreams that we'll do better, but - as several have said - there are several areas for concern. I haven't read much above that I disagree with and bluetimestwo's analysis seems pretty fair and accurate to me.

[Revelli]

Who are the 5 loses ?

Most likely...
1. Ohio State
2. Penn State
3. Michigan State
4. Illinois
5. Wisconsin

Give it a year and you'll all be toast!

[Blue In Ohio]

I'm going to have lots of fun listening to suckeye fans talk about how they are going to destroy USC this fall only to take another beat down. Will the OSU fans boo their own team in this game?

[The Michigan Man]

I'm going to have lots of fun listening to suckeye fans talk about how they are going to destroy USC this fall only to take another beat down. Will the OSU fans boo their own team in this game?

I predict they will shower Pete Carroll with debris, that seems to be a tradition in Columbus.

[Seger]

For once I agree with Drew Sharp as to what he attributes their fans' behavior to:

"Franzen scored the series-clincher with 47 seconds remaining.

And on cue, the more inebriated in attendance tapped into their inner Buckeye, tossing beer cans and plastic water bottles onto the ice, interrupting the game and embarrassing their team.

Following the game, one of the officials was struck with a plastic bottle as he left the ice."

[bigboyBlue]

I predict they will shower Pete Carroll with debris, that seems to be a tradition in Columbus.

Only if tUO$ gets a 12 men on the field penalty though, coz, you know, the refs should have let it be, and the players deserved better.

[rickyleach]

hey donny boy , dont you worry about what michigan is going to do , i think you need to worry about your football team in c/bus, last season you predicted a great year ,meaning 11-1 or 12-0 and what happend , 10 -3 and your asss beat, with all the hall of fame talent you and your butt buddy nut kept talkin,about ,i thiught for sure you would be in the super bowl, i guess you were wrong , 20 freekin starters back for last year and a hotshot qb , the next comming of vince young, and your teamed choked like nut on a limp dick, so lets here your 2009 predictions, i say we will be 7-5 or 8 -4 and we beat you

[Blue In Ohio]

They may shower Tressel with debris as well if the game gets ugly. I'd lmao if they did that to both coaches. Normally I'd root for the bucks in this game but constant buckeye fan hazing in this state makes this very difficult. It's not so much that I want their team to lose I want their fans to lose. The arrogance is just mind boggling. Not sure what they've done lately to deserve to be that arrogant.

[RADRACING]

Looks like expectations are not to high this year.