8 wins for Harbaugh So Far-How Bout It Drew Sharp and Experts!

[scfanblue]

First. On the win tonight. Yes, the defense played absolutely horrible but I will take the 8th win anyways. The troubling thing is how much the defense and special teams have regressed within the last 3 weeks and that is not good going to Penn State or Ohio State the next two weeks. The run defense today resembled Rich Rod's defenses. I will say, however, that Harbaugh and staff have achieved a mere MIRACLE this year winning 8 games with the possibility of winning 10 games in the regular season. Ruddock has incredibly improved as a field General. The fact is that we do not have a a good RB with ZERO depth at the position. The 5 star Green was an absolute BUST as a recruit. If he was any good then he would have been playing for Harbaugh. Smith has been noble but is hobbled and is really just a battering ram just like the converted FB Souma. The OL has gotten better but is still average at best. Butt, Chesson and Darboh have ALL gotten better. Harbaugh has won 8 games so far with bits and pieces and that is a hallmark of his coaching ability. I can just imagine what he will do with his own recruits. If we can go into Penn State next week and get that 9th win then Harbaugh should be named coach of the year. Beating OSU will be tough but Michigan can do it in AA. The defense has got to play like it did through the MSU game though and hopefully Glasgow will be back. Whatever happens over the next two weeks if far better than what I felt last year at this time just hoping it would quickly end. We will play in a nice bowl this year.

 

[candid]

Drew Sharp, he's one of the journalism rejects working for the Detroit Rag. I refuse to read the paper any longer after reading it for yrs. the pro msu feelings just got to much.

 

[klemman]

I think most experts had Michigan losing 3-5 games this season, with the most likely losses coming against Utah, MSU, and OSU. Michigan has played pretty much to most expert's predictions.

 

[St. Joe Blue 3]

First. On the win tonight. Yes, the defense played absolutely horrible but I will take the 8th win anyways. The troubling thing is how much the defense and special teams have regressed within the last 3 weeks and that is not good going to Penn State or Ohio State the next two weeks. The run defense today resembled Rich Rod's defenses. I will say, however, that Harbaugh and staff have achieved a mere MIRACLE this year winning 8 games with the possibility of winning 10 games in the regular season. Ruddock has incredibly improved as a field General. The fact is that we do not have a a good RB with ZERO depth at the position. The 5 star Green was an absolute BUST as a recruit. If he was any good then he would have been playing for Harbaugh. Smith has been noble but is hobbled and is really just a battering ram just like the converted FB Souma. The OL has gotten better but is still average at best. Butt, Chesson and Darboh have ALL gotten better. Harbaugh has won 8 games so far with bits and pieces and that is a hallmark of his coaching ability. I can just imagine what he will do with his own recruits. If we can go into Penn State next week and get that 9th win then Harbaugh should be named coach of the year. Beating OSU will be tough but Michigan can do it in AA. The defense has got to play like it did through the MSU game though and hopefully Glasgow will be back. Whatever happens over the next two weeks if far better than what I felt last year at this time just hoping it would quickly end. We will play in a nice bowl this year.

Unfortunately, Glasgow is out for the season with a back injury.

 

[ThatsMrSpartan2U]

Drew Sharp, he's one of the journalism rejects working for the Detroit Rag. I refuse to read the paper any longer after reading it for yrs. the pro msu feelings just got to much.

Drew Sharp trashes MSU every chance he gets. He rarely gives credit to the teams he covers...or the teams his readers care about. His style is to write in such a way as to keep his readership riled up so they keep coming back to see what negative thing he writes next. Better to have the readership mad at you vs ignoring you. Sells papers.....or at least keeps eyeballs on you.

 

[spoke8]

Kirk Ferentz is the Coach of the year.

 

[loungerat]

The DL is thin but you can't discount the pace Indiana played at. Defense couldn't sub out and they were gassed early. If I recall the amount of plays ran after 1 quarter were 19-7 in favor of Indiana. Not a surprise that they ran so effectively as the game wore on. Expect the same from the Buckeyes. Additionally, that is the best OL Michigan will play this year.

Penn State doesn't play at that tempo but I wouldn't be surprised if they go faster at times.

 

[romulator]

I think most experts had Michigan losing 3-5 games this season, with the most likely losses coming against Utah, MSU, and OSU. Michigan has played pretty much to most expert's predictions.

There is a huge difference between 3 and 5 losses. Most experts had Michigan with 7 wins. I distinctly remember Herbstreit saying UM fans needed to check their expectations because this was no more than a 7 win team. Only a very rare few had us winning 8. If we win one more game and get to 9, then I think it's fair to say Harbaugh has exceeded most all expectations.

 

[scfanblue]

I thought that Harbaugh would take this team and win at least 10 games this year. I do realize now that the DL is razor thin and beat to pieces. Not good with PSU and OSU left. I am hoping to win 1 out of these last 2 and then win the bowl game after resting for a month. 10 wins 3 losses We are going to get an SEC team for the bowl in Florida and we will beat them. Great season for a guy who pieced together a team within 6 months. Michigan is going to be a monster very soon

 

[BDP-RSB]

Tho

I think most experts had Michigan losing 3-5 games this season, with the most likely losses coming against Utah, MSU, and OSU. Michigan has played pretty much to most expert's predictions.

Thought it was 7-5 8-4 at best?

 

[michigangoblue999]

Drew Sharp is a tool. It's amazing he still has a job. Just don't read his columns.

 

[klemman]

There is a huge difference between 3 and 5 losses. Most experts had Michigan with 7 wins. I distinctly remember Herbstreit saying UM fans needed to check their expectations because this was no more than a 7 win team. Only a very rare few had us winning 8. If we win one more game and get to 9, then I think it's fair to say Harbaugh has exceeded most all expectations.

Now you're underselling yourself to make Harbaugh look like a miracle worker. Utah figured to be a tough matchup because they're a good team, not great. But they were catching Michigan early so the Harbaugh transition would still be in the beginning stages. Plus the Utes were at home?

Other than that, OSU and Michigan State would be the only teams in which Michigan wasn't the most talented team on the field.

3-5 losses was what the experts were predicting. Now if Michigan wins out, then yes, Harbaugh would have exceeded most expectations.

 

[romulator]

Ed Feng in Detroit News on 8/17/15 predicts the season for Michigan. So far the guy has nailed it; he even predicted we'd have a better chance of beating MSU than Utah. Predicted win total for year is 7.7 games (excerpt below from Detnews.com):

Almost certain wins: UNLV (97.3 percent).

Very likely wins: Oregon State (82.2), BYU (67.2), at Maryland (75.2), Northwestern (77.7), Rutgers (83.3), at Indiana (74.0).

Toss-up games: at Utah (40.4), Michigan State (45.5), at Minnesota (53.9), at Penn State (46.1).

Unlikely wins: Ohio State (23.5).

Adding up the win probability in these games gives a projected win total of 7.7.

 

[romulator]

Here's what the "experts" and beat writers predicted before season began:

Angelique Chengelis, Detroit News: 7-5
Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press:7-5
Melanie Maxwell, M-Live: 7-5
Adam Biggers, Bleacher Report: "absolute high end 8-4, but don't rule out 7-5 or 6-6"
Stewart Mandel, FoxSports: 6-6
Bruce Feldman, FoxSports: 8-4
Drew Hallett, SBNation: 7-5
Zac Ellis, Sports Illustrated: 6-6
Patrick Schmidt, Saturday Blitz: 8-4
Jimmy Boyd, Boyd.bets.com: 7-5
Athlon Sports: 8-4
Andy & Dave, Talking10Sports: Andy 7-5; Dave 6-6

There are plenty of experts who had UM losing 5 or 6 games but I haven't found any who called for us winning 9. If you know of all these experts who said UM would win 9 or more games, feel free to post their names and the media they represent. (I'm still trying to find out what, if anything, the espn guys predicted. I heard Herbie predict 7-5 but cannot find a link).

 

[klemman]

Well, just to name a few: David Hallett- SB Nation, David Cuff- GBMWolverine.com, Not sure of the persons name but it was on MLive.com, Jon Solomon CBSSports, Rob White- ISports, Phil Steele, Ed Feiss- The Power Rank.

I would think that some of those you listed as having picked Michigan for 8 and maybe even 7 wins wouldn't be totally surprised with Michigan having 9 wins.

By your own assessment, at the beginning of the season there were four toss-up games. That easily would bring the win total to 9 if they won a couple of those games.

I think that its hilarious that you are arguing that Michigan wasn't that good, because if I started a thread that stated "Michigan is fortunate to be where they are because they're really not better than a 6-8 win team", I would get a lot of opposition.

 

[romulator]

Well, just to name a few: David Hallett- SB Nation, David Cuff- GBMWolverine.com, Not sure of the persons name but it was on MLive.com, Jon Solomon CBSSports, Rob White- ISports, Phil Steele, Ed Feiss- The Power Rank.

I would think that some of those you listed as having picked Michigan for 8 and maybe even 7 wins wouldn't be totally surprised with Michigan having 9 wins.

By your own assessment, at the beginning of the season there were four toss-up games. That easily would bring the win total to 9 if they won a couple of those games.

I think that its hilarious that you are arguing that Michigan wasn't that good, because if I started a thread that stated "Michigan is fortunate to be where they are because they're really not better than a 6-8 win team", I would get a lot of opposition.

not sure who the quote above is directed to, but I have never said UM was never that good and I never said there were 4 tossup games (Ed Feng did). So it seems you're having an argument with a strawman or an invisible person.

My only point is that Harbaugh has already exceeded most pundits expectations and I have provided for you the pre-season expectations of those who cober UM football. MOST writers had us at 7 wins 5 losses. Very few had us at 9 wins, 3 losses.

 

[klemman]

My original statement was the most experts had Michigan winning between 7-9 games. I didn't say most picked 9 wins. Your argument supports my original statemememt.

I'm sorry to offend you by including the 9 win scenario as a possibility. But if you wish, It has been a miraculous turn around. Greatest job coaching ever!

 

[ThatsMrSpartan2U]

I think Michigan has definitely exceeded expectations. Harbaugh IMHO has met everyone's expectations and that is that he was going to make Michigan tough and competitive. Even as a Spartan I knew he was good and was going to be good in AA. He doesn't know how not to be good at coaching FB. How many games they won was more going to be up to the players. I have been impressed with how much more resilient and just down right competitive Michigan has been with basically the same players as last year and a transfer QB who had no particular resume suggesting he was going to be all that good. UM has made some errors, but nothing like they have since the Carr era ended.
I was surprised JH took the job. I still think he will go back to the NFL to win a Super Bowl....after he wins a Nat Champ at Michigan....which means he won't cuz I'm wrong a lot of the time (won't win a NC or won't go back to the NFL...take your pick).
I don't root for UM much....I don't actively root against them much either...but I think JH is by far the best coach in college FB. I think Dantonio is one of the best college FB coaches. He would not be a big time pro coach IMHO. He's college all the way. Harbaugh has that Bill Walshiness to him. A guy who can coach college kids and pros...regardless...to championships. I just can't believe a guy his age, with his talent and ambition isn't going to want that Lombardi Trophy some day. As a Spartan I'd just soon JH hustle on back to the NFL sooner rather than later. I think Urban Meyer would like him to too.

 

[klemman]

I disagree with the exceeded expectations. I think he is on the upper end of meeting expectations, but even with those who predicted 7-8 wins, I find it difficult to believe that if you told,them at this point of the season Michigan would have beaten everyone but MSU and Utah, played excellent defense, and Ruddock did enough to win games on the offense, it wouldn't have been a, "Not in a million years." Response.

Michigan player for player has had more talent than any team they beat so far this season. Harbaugh is a good coach, upper echelon. But to give him the "best coach in college football" crown? He may end up being that when it is all said and done, but it's tough to make that uncontested claim at this point.

 

[CaliforniaGreen1]

I disagree with the exceeded expectations. I think he is on the upper end of meeting expectations, but even with those who predicted 7-8 wins, I find it difficult to believe that if you told,them at this point of the season Michigan would have beaten everyone but MSU and Utah, played excellent defense, and Ruddock did enough to win games on the offense, it wouldn't have been a, "Not in a million years." Response.

Michigan player for player has had more talent than any team they beat so far this season. Harbaugh is a good coach, upper echelon. But to give him the "best coach in college football" crown? He may end up being that when it is all said and done, but it's tough to make that uncontested claim at this point.

One somewhat related point: Nobody in the Big Ten has yet played their toughest games, so its premature to be drawing conclusions on the season. For example, there are SEVEN Big Ten teams that are above .500 in the Big Ten (OSU, MSU, UM, PSU, Iowa, Wisc and NW) - they've hardly played each other (and many won't play because the top teams in the East don't play the top teams in the West this year); for example:

- OSU has only played PSU (1-0), but have MSU and UM left
- MSU has only played UM (1-0), but has OSU and PSU left
- UM has only played NW and MSU (1-1) but has PSU and OSU left

Also, the bottom 5 teams in the conference have COMBINED for 3 wins; MSU and UM have 4 of their 5 conference wins against these 5 teams; OSU has 4 of their 6 against these teams (and a 5th win vs Illinois)

 

[Blue_note]

klemman wrote: I find it difficult to believe that if you told,them at this point of the season Michigan would have beaten everyone but MSU and Utah, played excellent defense, and Ruddock did enough to win games on the offense, it wouldn't have been a, "Not in a million years." Response.

With Harbaugh as coach, of course not. With Hoke back in the helm, they might have asked what you're drinking and taken your car keys.

Talent was on the field last year to win 7 or 8 and it didn't happen.

It's not just the wins. No. 2 overall D at Week 9? Three-straight shutouts?

There was not a boatload of talent, either, especially on offense, where Hoke's recruiting was undeniably weak by Michigan standards. The offense, the lack of difference-makers, in fact, is what tempered expectations among experts.

Special teams have vastly improved, even with recent miscues factored in.

I don't know about "best coach in college" stuff. Harbaugh is a great coach and one I can trust to accomplish some great things.

That's plenty enough for me.

Go Blue. Always.

 

[klemman]

Blue note, that's a fair assessment.

 

[ThatsMrSpartan2U]

klemman wrote: I find it difficult to believe that if you told,them at this point of the season Michigan would have beaten everyone but MSU and Utah, played excellent defense, and Ruddock did enough to win games on the offense, it wouldn't have been a, "Not in a million years." Response.

With Harbaugh as coach, of course not. With Hoke back in the helm, they might have asked what you're drinking and taken your car keys.

Talent was on the field last year to win 7 or 8 and it didn't happen.

It's not just the wins. No. 2 overall D at Week 9? Three-straight shutouts?

There was not a boatload of talent, either, especially on offense, where Hoke's recruiting was undeniably weak by Michigan standards. The offense, the lack of difference-makers, in fact, is what tempered expectations among experts.

Special teams have vastly improved, even with recent miscues factored in.

I don't know about "best coach in college" stuff. Harbaugh is a great coach and one I can trust to accomplish some great things.

That's plenty enough for me.

Go Blue. Always.

I still say Harbaugh is the best coach in football today because of his pro and college resume. He wins regardless.

But I think my man, Mark Dantonio might just be one of, if not the best college football coach in the amateur game. What he does with the talent he has is unbelievable. The State of Michigan should be proud.

 

[Reality Man]

Dantonio is truly a great coach. Knows how to motivate and develop.


Now to the 'experts'. How about this 'expert' named Reality Man. Here is what he said before the season (Paraphrasing).

Look, UM is going to be well coached and who on the schedule can't UM beat. It can't beat MSU at home? The only loss that he saw was at home against OSU. He said that 8 wins would be the lowest acceptable amount of wins and that the goal should be 9 wins which was attainable. Nddecker1 disagreed vehemently because of what he saw was a lack of talent.

Reality Man was less pessimistic because they had a 5th year senior and a staff that wasn't incompetent plus a transfer in Isaac.

Now...did it work out exactly that way? No it did not but I never bought the position that this team shouldn't be able to win a minimum of 8 games and strive for 9 wins.

Does this now give Reality Man a Rivals board pedigree of 'expert'?



RM