The Blue Board

7-5 is the worst case scenario for Michigan. You're not giving yourself much margin of error, there...

You play them on the road in very difficult environments though. A night game at Notre Dame and a long trip to Nebraska will be very tough wins. I'm sure you didn't think you would win only four games a few years ago too. I'm not trying to rip on Michigan and they can win those games but if someone asked me right now each game individually without taking in account the name on the front of the jersey thats the way it shakes out.

I also think Michigan could lose to Iowa or Purdue as well. Anything can happen in college football and there is no team that is pegged for 10 wins this year in the B1G. In the past you have had teams like OSU and Mich that have been loaded and you knew they would be top 10 teams, and although teams will get to 10 wins I don't think you can guarantee anything. I wouldn't be surprised if Michigan won 11 games or 6 games, same with Nebraska or any other top team.

I just don't understand why so many UofM fans take it personal and still don't provide a reason why they think they will do better.

I will believe in Notre Dame when Kelly shows he can actually coach. I put Kelly in the Ron Zook category now. People keep expecting more but they never live up to it. For me to believe Kelly can do it he actually has to do it. So for now, the ND game is a win for Michigan based on the fact that Kelly can't coach.

I love the Nebraska matchup for Michigan. If I had to choose one team to play on the road out of Nebraska, MSU and Iowa, I am choosing Nebraska. They struggled mightily to contain QBs who can run. Michigan didn't seem to have to much trouble defending Nebraska last year either. I like Michigan's chances in that game as well.

I agree with this no doubt. 9 wins would be safer but thats just where I was leaning. If I give them two more wins though I have to take a few wins from somebody else though. Every year brings surprises and next year should be no different. I think Michigan will take a bit of a step back and I think Purdue will take a step forward.

Thanks. +1 back.

Fair enough. Just understand that unlike last year, Michigan returns 12 proven commodities to start on defense. On offense, we have 2 1000+ yard rushers and a solid offensive line. The only weakness on this team might be the inexperienced receivers,

The Big Ten has just been plain out weak the last few years. I'm not really worried about ND and Nebraska even though they are road games this year. Michael Floyd is gone and he burned us qite a bit in last year's game, and nebraska loses quite a bit on defense. Purdue was not in the same league as us last year, and i think we would have won last year's Iowa game if it was in Ann Arbor.

Is anybody else intrigued by Purdue? Their schedule sets up very nice and with Ohio State out of the picture for the title game they really do have a shot to make it to Indy. Two great defensive players, hopefully a QB, and a few play makers on offense. With Michigan and Wisconsin at home they might make a run.

Not as long as Danny Hope roams the sidelines in West Lafayette.

1)JT Floyd - multi year starter
2)Blake Countess - starter
3)Kenny Demens - starter
4)Thomas Gordon - starter
5)Desmond Morgan - starter
6)Frank Clark - starting experience/significant playing time
7)Nathan Brink - fair amount of reps
8)Will Campbell - fair amount of reps
9)Craig Roh - multi-year starter
10)Jake Ryan - starter
11)Jordan Kovacs - multi-year starter
12) Courtney Avery -starting experience/nickle back
Brandin Hawthorne - starting experience/fair amount of reps

Brennan Beyer
Jabreel Black
Cam Gordon has starting experience but he's been injured a lot

Clark was a true freshman who ended up starting the bowl game.
Will Campbell and Brink had a "fair amount of reps" and project as starters or significant contributors. Maybe not a proven commodity, but they're also not complete unknowns.

Frankly, what you consider proven or not is inconsequential. These guys are who they are and they'll be expected to continue building off their experience. If they step up, great. If not, bring in the next guy.