Joyner predicts 10-win 2015 for Michigan football

[gmclean1988]

KC Joyner, one of ESPN's college football analysts, believesMichigan could challenge OSU for the East division in 2015. It's an insider article, but here are a few snippets:The Wolverines ranked 25th among Power 5 teams in rush yards per game from November through the end of the season (186). Michigan also finished seventh in percentage of rushing plays that gained 10 or more yards in that time frame (7.8 percent). Some of that was due to facing Indiana and Maryland, but Michigan also racked up 14 rushes of 5 or more yards in its game against Ohio State. That total ranked as tied for the second-most rushes of 5 or more yards that the Buckeyes allowed against a Big Ten team last season.[/QUOTE]
wide receiver Amara Darboh looks to be up to the task of taking over as the go-to pass-catcher. Darboh had some flashes of excellence last season, highlighted by a Week 10 performance that saw him lead the Big Ten in receptions during that week. The Wolverines also return four other players who caught at least 10 passes last season, so whoever ends up as quarterback will have plenty of experienced receivers.
Last season the Wolverines held five Power 5 teams to under 100 yards rushing in a game. To put this into perspective, there were only eight other Power 5 teams that equaled or surpassed this mark, and no team had more than six games of this caliber.
EDIT - Blockquote not working...bolded sections are quotes from the article.
The article also mentions Harbaugh's success on special teams, being only one of seven Power 5 teams to return all five OL starters, a relatively easy schedule, the collection of talent assembled by Hoke, and Durkin's reputation as a turnover-creator. That said, it glosses over the big question mark at QB, asserting that Zach Gentry and Alex Malzone may both make a push to be the starter.

 

[St. Joe Blue 3]

I'll drink to that. But ....


I promise to get drunk as a skunk after our 11th victory next season.

Cheers!

 

[bluestrom]

Hell invite Kate and they'll be one big party


nm

 

[St. Joe Blue 3]

Re: Hell invite Kate and they'll be one big party


I'm down with her ... errrrr .... that!

 

[bluestrom]

HAAA...you and several million other guys...she might be your


good luck charm...
This post was edited on 2/9 9:08 PM by bluestrom

 

[Heisenburg]

Re: HAAA...you and several million other guys...she might be your


It's not the same situation, but Urban took a 6-7 team to 12-0.

The difference between a bad coach and the "best coach in college football" is huge.

It will be interesting to see how Harbaugh does.

 

[24to12]

The big problem with Michigan football in 2013 and 2014 was an offense that turned the ball over way too much and had too many negative plays. Correct those problems, and you could see a significant turnaround with the talent on hand.

 

[Heisenburg]

Originally posted by 24to12:
The big problem with Michigan football in 2013 and 2014 was an offense that turned the ball over way too much and had too many negative plays. Correct those problems, and you could see a significant turnaround with the talent on hand.

Those were problems, but they were caused by terrible Oline play. Fix the Oline and you'll see the turnovers and negative plays get better (if there is a half ways serviceable QB).

 

[klemman]

I smell the first of many many undefeated national championship seasons. If Harbaugh wins any game by less than double digits until he retires, 30-40 years from now, it will be a surprise.

 

[Mroad]

I think we all agree that Hoke was not a good coach, which might be an understatement, but somehow he was able to play OSU fairly evenly. If I'm an OSU fan that might be a little concerning. Now, some OSU fans will say, "oh well, it's a rivalry game and UM gets up for that game" but that doesn't address that we had a bad head coach but we still kept the game close. Don't you think Harbaugh coaching a team that's pumped up for the OSU game might be an advantage over a Hoke coached team?

 

[4SFED4]

Originally posted by Mroad:
I think we all agree that Hoke was not a good coach, which might be an understatement, but somehow he was able to play OSU fairly evenly. If I'm an OSU fan that might be a little concerning. Now, some OSU fans will say, "oh well, it's a rivalry game and UM gets up for that game" but that doesn't address that we had a bad head coach but we still kept the game close. Don't you think Harbaugh coaching a team that's pumped up for the OSU game might be an advantage over a Hoke coached team?

No, they don't, not a one of the nationalchampionwinningsonsabishes.

#gottahangyourhatonsomethinginmichigan

 

[klemman]

Didn't a Fickell led Ohio State team with the worst record in 100 years play a close game against a 10 win Michigan team?
Oh well, I think Harbaugh will be so dominant it would be a miracle if OSU scores a single point against the mighty Wolverines next year.

 

[BigHouse_00]

The O-line showed signs of life in the last month of last season....

They were terrible for the better part of 2 seasons. I think they are going to be much better in 2015.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[pistol55]

whenever a team starts winning alot against a rival the fans always want to believe it will never change. sorry but it does and a few years from now all the msu and osu fans will be on these same boards crying about their coaches and bragging about those years when they were beating michigan.

thats not wishfull thinking, thats what they call history. try reading something that goes back more then just the last decade.

 

[klemman]

Even before Harbaugh came back I was predicting that Michigan would find a decent coach that would bring them back. With Harbaugh it's a given. I haven't seen any OSU fans saying that the series won't be competitive going forward and that Michigan won't start winning against the Buckeyes.m

There have been responsive comments to the Michigan fans saying that Harbaugh will be sending Meyer running scared into retirement,

 

[BigHouse_00]

Fair post....

Harbaugh hasn't done anything yet so while I'm optimistic about the future with him at the helm, he needs to prove it on the field. OSU is already a powerhouse and UM has a lot of work to do to reach that level. The problem I have are opposing fans who think UM is going to be a dumpster fire forever. UM has too many things going for it to continue playing at recent levels.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Heisenburg]

Originally posted by pistol55:
whenever a team starts winning alot against a rival the fans always want to believe it will never change. sorry but it does and a few years from now all the msu and osu fans will be on these same boards crying about their coaches and bragging about those years when they were beating michigan.

thats not wishfull thinking, thats what they call history. try reading something that goes back more then just the last decade.

I'm suprised it has lasted this long. It's been an amazing run, The most dominate in the series. It won't last forever but it looks like it may last for a few more years.

 

[goblue31602]

Harbaugh marched his 1-3 Stanford team into the Coliseum in 2007 and knocked off a 41 point favorite in USC, with his third string QB. While I don't think that means we're going to beat you every year (or even most years), I just think you can assume your dominance will last a few more years.

Originally posted by Heisenburg:

Originally posted by pistol55:
whenever a team starts winning alot against a rival the fans always want to believe it will never change. sorry but it does and a few years from now all the msu and osu fans will be on these same boards crying about their coaches and bragging about those years when they were beating michigan.

thats not wishfull thinking, thats what they call history. try reading something that goes back more then just the last decade.

I'm suprised it has lasted this long. It's been an amazing run, The most dominate in the series. It won't last forever but it looks like it may last for a few more years.

 

[HeinzTheBaron]

What was actually more impressive about Harbaugh was two years after that he brought his team to the Coli and handed PC his worst loss ever as SC's coach. Yes, the famous "What's your deal?" post-game encounter.

While I hated what Harbaugh did against SC, I had to respect the hell out of his coaching ability, and his moxie in the way he brought a perennial bottom dweller in the PAC into the Coli with absolutely no fear of SC. His kids played their hearts out for him and totally believed in him. That showed on the field.

I'm looking forward to Harbaugh taking the fight to Urban. When either Michigan and/or tOSU stink, its not good for college football. Seeing an epic battle between those teams on a cold dreary November day is an essential part of the landscape.

What college football missed were some epic battles between Pete Carroll and Urban. But now we get to see Harbaugh-Urban and it promises to be interesting at the very least.

 

[goblue31602]

Agreed, good post.

I'm looking forward to Michigan taking on Harbaugh's attitude, and really taking it to some teams.

Carroll and USC vs Urban would have been good stuff.