Texas 31, Michigan 12

[Jeff Buchanan]

Sounds about right. In the range of possible scores but I think it will be closer than that.

I started this thread with a 34 - 27 Texas win. I haven't seen a whole lot to change my mind. Moore/Campbell will want to slow the game down and shortening it by working to get 5-6 drives with each getting to 3rd and < 4, making that to move the chains in rhythm while keeping the Texas D on the field for longer than Sark would like. Call an offense strategically that will get the team to the 4th quarter in striking distance of a win.

Moore/Wink will focus M's D on not giving up the big play to Ewers and limiting the run game.

Dominic Zvada will kick 3 FG, one of them may be a go-ahead kick late in the 4th, but leaving UT too much time for them to score the last minute winning points.

[THE_WIZARD_]

horns down.png

[lineygoblue]

We’re gonna need to dial up a Lloydball classic in this one. I’m not holding my breath. I haven’t seen an offense this inept since before Harbaugh took over. I’d take 2017 over this shitshow.

Yeah, I think we're back to the days of John O'Korn.and Brandon Peters. Bad, and badder.

Texas has a ready for NFL QB in Ewers, and two ready for NFL RB's, and a OL to move people out of the way. They could end up wearing out Michigan's defense, if the Offense gives up too many 3 and outs.

I think M will put up a tough fight early, but Texas is just too much of a complete team for Michigan to win this one. The entire college football world will be singing the praises of the "clean" Longhons defeating the "dirty" Wolverines along about 4:00 pm on Saturday. And the Urban Myth will be there to revel in it.

Even Wiz will be flashing "hook 'em horns" at everyone he sees.

Tejas 36
U-M 17

and it won't really be that close. M might get a garbage TD against Longhorn scrubs late, to make it look good.

[THE_WIZARD_]

WIZZIE'S SANDBAGGER RANKINGS:

1. AA
2. TALENT
3. LINEY

[lineygoblue]

I don't know how anything I said in that post could be considered sandbagging.

You obviously did not see Michigan's game on Saturday.

[THE_WIZARD_]

You guys are playing dead right now...saving it for the Horns...and then you will unleash the Mighty Sherrone on the B1G...

[lineygoblue]

I felt way back in June that M would likely have to settle for a finish in the top third of the conference, as its ceiling.

After the spring game, I was unimpressed with either QB, and I saw nothing on Saturday from either guy, that they had something more that could come out in the future. As I said, I think the QB talent has now regressed back to around 2016-2017 in terms of talent. Nice guys, they try hard, .. but the talent is not there to be competitive for a B1G title, and probably not a playoff berth either. the O-line is the same situation. Good guys, some talent, but not strong enough to overcome the future challenges.

I think lack of offensive production will lbe the downfall of this team. Having to count on the defense to stop 15-20 drives every game will wear them out, and put them in danger of a lot of injuries. Lots of great players on that end, but they are going to be gassed by the 3rd quarter of any game against a good opponent.

So, welcome back to John O'Korn and Brandon Peters football. Probably for the next 2-3 years unless some portal miracles can happen

And I still think that the Sherrone Moore hire was the right call. I think if he can do some maneuvering in the portal, he can stave off some of the future 'suck' that is heading our way.

[THE_WIZARD_]

M "rebuilding" = 10-2

[lineygoblue]

I wish I could hope for 10-2.

Not this year.

I'd say with what I saw on Saturday, that 8-4 would be over achieving.

Thank goodness Fresno is in the win column.

I see no path to them beating:

Texas - A lot like M - 2024. Lots of NFL talent
USC - Lincoln Riley is making his move
Oregon- See Texas. Loads of talent. hard to lose with that much talent
osu - Same as Oregon. No more excuses. Its nobody's fault but their own if they aren't B1G Champions and National Champions. That $20 million has to pay off.

Coin Flip:

Washington - Our old friend Jed Fisch is the HC there now. He's a great football mind, and will have the Huskies ready to play with whatever they've got.

Should beat:

Arky State
MinneHaHa - Fleck is a douche - Even Minnesotans are getting tired of his act. The canoe is about to sink
Illinois - not a slam dunk - Meathead has them playing ball. They're tough at home.
MSU - they aren't that good yet
Indiana - lots of rebuilding
NW - they miss Fitz

--

So, whatever 7 wins gets us, and maybe an upset over Washington, getting us to 8, probably puts M in Tampax on NYD.

[THE_WIZARD_]

OK I'll give you 9-3. Maybe we could play each other in the Alamo Bowl...

[Jeff Buchanan]

Two good analyses by (1) Ktatt and Quin, and (2) Urban on the Texas @ Michigan game. I've linked to the mgoboard post that has both youtube videos in it and the inserts actually work by just clicking on them. Scroll down to the 2nd video with Urban.

https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/klatt-and-brady-quinn-preview-um-vs-texas

[Hannibal]

Lay the points. This one probably won't be close. Not necessarily a blowout, but I envision something in the 31-17 range

[Mike]

I “expect” the defense to keep us in it until they run out of gas. I won’t be surprised at all though if we just get nuked from orbit.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Sandbaggus Talentlikeus

[Mike]

It’s not sandbagging. Michigan doesn’t really have a functional offense. It might be the worst group of WRs I’ve ever seen at Michigan. The only upside is, hopefully, playing top competition helps them improve for conference play.