College Football Top 25: Michigan Wolverines, No. 9
Michigan Wolverines [2011: 11-2 (6-2), Beat Virginia Tech 23-20 in Sugar Bowl]
Four Year Trend: 2008 (3-9), 2009 (5-7), 2010 (7-6), 2011 (11-2)
Notable Player: Denard Robinson. Upside: he’s the most explosive player in college football when running. Downside: he’s one of the most erratic players in college football when passing. Michigan’s ceiling in 2012 depends on how much he can improve his footwork and decision-making in a second season under Al Borges.
Fumble Fortune: Michigan was absurdly fortunate recovering fumbles last season. They ranked 5th nationally, recovering 13/19 fumbles on offense. They ranked 2nd nationally on defense, recovering 20/25 of their opponents’ fumbles. Lest you think that’s a product of skill, San Jose State recovered 20/21 opponent fumbles. Those stats swung games for Michigan in 2011. They are unlikely to be that lucky in 2012.
Lost in the Shoelaces: Players not named Denard Robinson that could have huge years: Taylor Lewan (LT), Jordan Kovacs (S) and sophomore Thomas Rawls (RB), who has been drawing comparisons to Flint native Mark Ingram.
Top Newcomers: Kyle Kalis (OL), Ondre Pipkins (DT), Joe Bolden (LB)
What’s New: Normalcy. Michigan is coming off a successful, 11-win season under “Michigan Man” Brady Hoke. The losing streak against “Ohio” has ended. Their Top 10 recruiting class is loaded with defensive talent. The coaching staff will remain intact. The system is stable. Michigan is Michigan.
Why We Like Them: Michigan’s surprising success last season came amidst massive transitions on both sides of the ball. This year, the Wolverines can build on that foundation, especially on defense where they will run the same system two years in a row for the first time since Lloyd Carr Left. They are not quite where they want to be personnel-wise yet, but a more comfortable Denard Robinson could make another transition year much softer.
Why We’re Concerned: Both lines. Michigan is still struggling with some Rich Rodriguez-induced depth concerns on the offensive line. They lost two impact starters on the defensive line. They have talent at the skill positions and creative coaching staffs, but if forced to win a battle in the trenches they may not be able.
Circle This Game: Michigan vs. Michigan State [Oct. 20] This game may decide the Legends Division. Michigan will also be trying to end an unprecedented and embarrassing four-game in state losing streak.
Best-Case Scenario: Michigan has the same fortune with offensive line injuries they had in 2011. Their defensive line hits the ceiling of its potential. The passing game clicks for Denard Robinson, who mounts a strong Heisman campaign. Michigan puts up a fight against Alabama, runs the table in the Big Ten and enters the title game 11-1.
Worst-Case Scenario: Alabama destroys the Wolverines in the opener. Michigan’s offense gets felled by a rash of offensive line injuries. The defense improves, but remains vulnerable against a power running game. The Wolverines struggle with a tough road schedule – Alabama, Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State – and finish 7-5.
Projected Bowl: Rose
[Photo via Presswire]
25. Kansas State 24. Virginia Tech 23. Clemson 22. Boise State 21. Stanford 20. Michigan State 19. Notre Dame 18. Nebraska 17. Oklahoma State 16. Wisconsin 15. TCU 14. Florida 13. West Virginia 12. Georgia 11. Texas 10. Arkansas
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80 Responses to “College Football Top 25: Michigan Wolverines, No. 9”
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August 27th, 2012 at 12:47 PM
9 seems high but it’s a preseason poll so wanking motion
August 27th, 2012 at 12:48 PM
8-4. Notre Dame will probably give away the game again.
August 27th, 2012 at 12:50 PM
There’s a book on Robinson and lines are not the best places to concern observers. I dont think hes going to figure out the passing portion. 8-4
August 27th, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Last year for Denard to play QB before following his destiny to be Detroit’s kick returner.
August 27th, 2012 at 12:52 PM
1-11…being generous in that they beat indiana.
August 27th, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Who’s the backup QB now that Gardner’s playing WR?
August 27th, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Who’s the backup QB now that Gardner’s playing WR?
It’s still Gardner. Russell Bellomy is third. He’s a RS Freshman from Texas who was originally committed to Purdue. Everyone has said very nice things about him all spring and summer, but he’s not ready to contribute anything at this point yet.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:03 PM
some big armed RS Frosh.
I’d venture that Gardner will take the backup snaps at QB when necessary.
I’ll throw 9-3 out there with one inexplicable loss (iowa, most likely.)
August 27th, 2012 at 1:03 PM
As far as I’ve read, it is still Gardner. They don’t have a lot of depth there. Other option is Russell Bellomy who is a redshirt freshman. Though they would probably prefer him to be eating and lifting until 2014.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:03 PM
No, you’re confused. The WINNER of the B1G goes to the Rose Bowl, not the 2nd place team in the Legends division.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:06 PM
It’s gonna be so enjoyable listening to people call into the local sports station predicting a victory over Bama this week.
/2 so far
August 27th, 2012 at 1:06 PM
No way they repeat what happened last year. 8-4 is far more likely than 11-1.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:07 PM
I’d say 9-3/8-4 sounds about right. I think Michigan goes 2-3 vs Alabama, @ND, MSU, @Nebraska and @OSU
August 27th, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Last arm-punter to win the Heisman was Tebow.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Also, that top ten ranking is obsurd, but that’s what the media does. Here’s the real #9 team in the country.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:08 PM
*absurd
August 27th, 2012 at 1:09 PM
Haters gonna hate
August 27th, 2012 at 1:09 PM
Fuck Ohio State. Fuck Notre Dame. Fuck Michigan State. Fuck Alabama. And fuck you.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:10 PM
“Michigan Man”
This will always be funny.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:11 PM
Jerry Kill and the Gophers are gonna get em.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:11 PM
NDub astutely points out the 4 losses on Michigan’s schedule
August 27th, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Their current QB is a wide receiver. Or at least he should be.
Denard misses parts of several games, Michigan under-performs to their talent, their fans remain douchbags. Same story, different year.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:13 PM
NDub astutely points out the 4 losses on Michigan’s schedule
August 27th, 2012 at 1:14 PM
I love it when you talk dirty to me.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:15 PM
I guess since PSU will be irrelevant forever now, we won’t be getting random obscenities thrown at us when it comes to actually football talk
/kicks rock
August 27th, 2012 at 1:17 PM
Michigan State gets its biggest boner of the season when it plays Michigan. Yet annually the Spartans are maybe the third biggest game of the Wolverines’ season.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:20 PM
So bitter.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Sparty better not drop the ball against Potato U. I don’t wanna hear anything about Boise after this weekend.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Michigan State gets its biggest boner of the season when it plays Michigan. Yet annually the Spartans are maybe the third biggest game of the Wolverines’ season.
This is true, even with the 4 game losing streak. Ohio State and Alabama are still bigger games this season. MSU is 3rd, even though they should be the favorites for the division.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:23 PM
Facts are facts.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:23 PM
Will pain me to root for both Michigan teams this weekend. But fuck Tuber Poly Tech and fuck the SEC.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:26 PM
This is exactly what’s wrong with Michigan fans. You’re sitting there thinking about ordering the lobster when you’re on a hamburger helper diet.
Don’t believe the hype. Michigan shouldn’t have national title dreams when they’re the third best team (maybe fourth) in their own division.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:26 PM
ROWL TAHD
August 27th, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Proven by the countdown clock that Hoke put in for???? Oh yeah, Michigan State. I know that some bitter Michigan fans want to run with the same ol’ same ol’, but the real facts is that Michigan knows the game matters, even more now with the divisions in the Big 10.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Can’t wait to root on Curly Fry State.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Yet Michigan fans ignore the facts and cling on to this dream of national relevancy. Good luck with that.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Alabama is not a bigger game this season. That isn’t circled on their schedule as a must win.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:32 PM
gotta win that state title before focusing on the division. Meechigan ain’t winning the state title this year. that schedule stretch between Bammer and MSU is laughable.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Until I actually attended Michigan State, my favorite college football team was cheering against Michigan. Now doing that is a close second to my Spartans. I can’t fucking stand how each year (recently) Michigan fans talk so much shit about how sweet they are, yet they have lost 4 in a row to MSU. I can’t wait to hear the excuses after we beat them this year. Denard fucking sucks, their defense will suck, and fuck Hoke in his fat “Michigan Man” ass… I fucking hate U of M.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:38 PM
Lions just traded for the corner that started the end of Jahvid Best’s career.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:38 PM
And they made a huge deal about beating the worst Ohio State team since prohibition…
August 27th, 2012 at 1:39 PM
if michigan’s weakness it both lines, this saturday is going to be a blood bath.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:40 PM
/Coop’d
//couldn’t stand it anymore
August 27th, 2012 at 1:41 PM
I think Michigan is the most inscrutable team of 2012. Undefeated would not shock me; 7-5 would not shock me.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Luck. Shazier on one leg and the refs refusing to call holding helped em out a lot.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Lions just traded for the corner that started the end of Jahvid Best’s career.
skins traded barnes? interesting…
August 27th, 2012 at 1:42 PM
I never said the game against Michigan State wasn’t important.
My favorite part about oskie and watsonian is that 90 percent of the time they show up is to trash Michigan.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:44 PM
Is he any good? Mediocre would be an improvement in the Lions secondary.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:44 PM
and?
August 27th, 2012 at 1:45 PM
That’s not true. 90% of the time when I show up it’s to talk baseball.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Is he any good? Mediocre would be an improvement in the Lions secondary.
very good tackler, good against the run, struggles in man pass coverage.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:47 PM
He’ll fit right in then.
/Fire Cunningham
August 27th, 2012 at 1:48 PM
2-2 at the end of September, and then run the table to Pasadena.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:48 PM
my favorite college football team was cheering against Michigan
I bet you’re just a swell dude to be around.
Undefeated would not shock me; 7-5 would not shock me.
Undefeated would absolutely shock me. Michigan is overrated this year, should be a solid, top 4 Big Ten team, but not a contender nationally.
And Spartan fans can get as pissy as they want about it, but beating Alabama would mean more than beating MSU this year. And if you asked any sensible Michigan fan if they had to go 1-1 in the OSU/MSU games, an overwhelming majority would take the win over OSU.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:51 PM
my favorite college football team was cheering against Michigan
I bet you’re just a swell dude to be around.
You ever been around Michigan fans? Insufferable is an understatement. Not to mention most of the retards who cheer for them didn’t even go there…
August 27th, 2012 at 1:53 PM
Lump statements are my favorite. Especially when there’s two of them in one comment.
Here’s a new rule for all sports fans across the world: If you have never attended the school that you root for, you are no longer allowed to be a fan. If you’ve never been to a game or bought a t-shirt of the pro team you root for, then you must revoke your fandom.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:54 PM
I figured that Clown’s chauffeur would hate Michigan. Bit of a surprise that you are a Spartoon, though.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:54 PM
go bucks!
August 27th, 2012 at 1:55 PM
Furthermore, only fans of Michigan Wolverines football are insufferable. Not any other collegiate football program nor any professional club.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:56 PM
NDub is so ornery today
August 27th, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Return your Wolverines shirt to Wal-mart.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:57 PM
this thread has the potential to take it back to pre-low-seven-figures-TBL.
back when maggs and spencer were bffs.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:58 PM
Calm down. Go read Sepinwall’s blog or something.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:59 PM
wrong again, NDub. Gators fans are the worst.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:00 PM
listen fucko…do you know what the problem with michigan fans is?
you root for the team embodiment of entitlement, collusion and over-inflated self worth. basically, you’re the college football version of mitt romney…a gross, hypocritical vestige of fraud and deceit wrapped up in a tidy, presentable package.
you root for dishonesty…dishonesty in the fact that michigan is not a football power and hasn’t been since the 70′s. you root for ohio kids and hearken back to the days when an ohio coach was running the program…which is funny because we typically don’t give credit to the homeless that dig thru trash cans to find food.
so really, we hate you because of who you are. you especially ndub because you’re the worst.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:04 PM
wrong again, NDub. Gators fans are the worst.
plus i hear they’re all really short.
/looks at trey
August 27th, 2012 at 2:08 PM
For me I could care less if the fans went there or not, it is when someone from Western, Eastern, Central, Dearborn, and especially Schoolcraft brings up academics in a football argument.
With that said the majority of my friends are Michigan fans and I have absolutely loved the past 4 years, can’t wait to make it 5 in a row.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:10 PM
careful of the glare
August 27th, 2012 at 2:10 PM
They’ve been good enough to have a winning record against OSU since 1970.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:12 PM
First, thank you spencer!
Here’s a new rule for all sports fans across the world: If you have never attended the school that you root for, you are no longer allowed to be a fan.
Way to take what I said and take it to its most extreme conclusion. It just bothers me that all these U of M fans talk shit about MSU, when most of them didn’t even attend U of M. At least most the MSU fans I know, actually attended MSU. Moreover, I think U of M fans that actually went there might actually be worse than the Walmart ones. Hubris at its finest…
August 27th, 2012 at 2:14 PM
so does the SEC and pretty much everyone unanimously says their fans insufferable.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:21 PM
so does the SEC and pretty much everyone unanimously says their fans insufferable.
to be fair, it’s a different class of fan. winning will do that to you.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:21 PM
An OSU fan talking about UofM fans being insufferable seems to be a bit ironic. But I wasn’t talking about the fans. I was talking about your claim that Michigan hasn’t been a national power. If you believe that, then I would think that logically you must believe OSU hasn’t been a power over that same time frame.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:31 PM
the college football version of mitt romney…
Uh oh, I’m putting on the riot gear, it’s about to get rowdy up in here!
August 27th, 2012 at 2:42 PM
it’s about to get rowdy up in here!
Naw, there are back to back Tebow/Paterno posts. This thread is dead.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:46 PM
we embrace our insufferability.
to be fair…2002 national champions decided on the field* not 1997 half champions decided by a poll when everyone and their mothers knew that nebraska wouldve thunderfucked the shit out of charles woodson’s buckeye-north teams.
im not defending OSU’s resume…they lost a lot of games their talent should’ve carried them in thanks to cooper being kinda…spacey?
in any event…it was a joke more than anything. you could say the exact same things about basically ANY top 10 all-time program.
except notre dame because fuckem.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:55 PM
Happy retirement Tom, and go fuck yourself once again Scott Frost.
August 27th, 2012 at 3:13 PM
Washington is waaaaaaaaay too shitty for you to talk shit about any team.
August 27th, 2012 at 3:17 PM
You realize Ohio State wouldn’t have even shared a title in 2002 were it not for the BCS, right? Y’all woulda been straight Auburn’d or Utah’d. One blown call at the end of a game is still annoying me, a decade later.
August 27th, 2012 at 3:19 PM
you might want to check your facts there, son…only two undefeated teams in there. and not sure how being “straight auburn’d or utah’d” could exist without the BCS either…