M-Borg vs. THE Flavortown U Thread, Orig. by Buckeye Paul, absconded w/by talent.

[Mike]

Possibly? JFC.

If JJ stays you'll be fine and I can't see him going. Edwards is certainly staying. He's probably been the only disappointment this year -- not sure why he doesn't have the numbers -- especially since he's on my fantasy team. Fortunately, Roman Wilson is paying dividends.

But, if you have JJ and Edwards, that's a good start. But the roster depletion will nonetheless be very real going into 2024.

JJ is the wildcard. I've seen draft rankings that didn't even have him ranked out of 13 QBs and I've seen him as high as 3rd best prospect in the draft. Fortunately, I don't hear much buzz about him as high draft pick this season. It's also a very QB heavy draft so I'm hoping that will keep him around for his senior year. Agreed on JJ and Edwards, they would really help offset some roster turnover but the O-line will be decimated. This is a very experienced team and we lose a ton next year. This will be our best shot to make a run at a natty in the Harbaugh era.

[Hannibal]

We really need to win this year because a large regression is coming next year. The staff will be able to coach up the remaining guys to 8 or 9 wins but they won't have the horses to beat the top teams. It's pretty frustrating that recruiting is where it's at coming off two playoff berths and possibly a 3rd this year.

God yes. The recruiting is horrible considering where we are right now. It's now or never. You look around the roster and it's juniors and seniors everywhere that you look. This is it. We're at the ceiing. Does that mean a natty? Probably not, but it doesn't have to. But we've got to either get to the NC game or, if we don't make the playoff, win our bowl game and be no worse than 12-1.

I don't think that JJ will stay. His entire supporting cast other than Loveland is leaving. He's going to take a lot more hits. And maybe that's OK. 2024 will be a full-on rebuild. Maybe it's better if Davis starts from day 1 and we just eat it next year. 8 wins would be a very good season, considering the schedule and the rebuilding with lesser talent. 6-6 or 7-5 is more likely.

[Hannibal]

Well, you're as pessimistic as they come, so I understand why you're holding off on 2023. But that one is a foregone conclusion.

Ohio State blew it last year with just a god-awful performance. This year the only chance Ohio State has is if HARBAUGH!!!! returns the favor. And that won't happen -- well, I dunno -- they did manage to lose to a really not good TCU team. So, it's POSSIBLE. But I'm at about 5% for OSU. It's far more likely that OSU loses by 35 than they win at all.

Ridiculous. I'd put the spread at maybe 6 or 7 right now. We're the clear favorite for the first time since 2011 but not by double digits.

[Mike]

We were a TD favorite in 2018 in Columbus and got hamblasted out of the stadium.

[Hannibal]

True, but that spread was utterly retarded and I think that everyone knew that we would lose that game, albeit not by that much. This year a 7 point spread in favor of Michigan would be sensible.

[Mike]

I expected to win that 2018 game. That's the year Ohio State had to pull an absolute miracle out of their as the week before at Maryland and won like 50-48 in OT or some stupid thing. They were only ranked #10 coming into that game despite a 10-1 record.

[WM Wolverine]

I'll wait to read the Buckeyes till they play Penn State. I think both are flawed teams (less than CFP-worthy) but see the Nuts having a better chance of stepping up their game to another level...

Donovan Edwards I'd like to see more as a receiver, think his future is there in the NFL. He lacks the ability to make the 1st guy miss consistently (a critical ability for a RB) but he's electric in the open field which he never gets the chance to do.

[iam416]

Surprisingly, I think Ohio State's defense is pretty good and getting better. They ultimately held Maryland to 4 ypp, which is outstanding. BUT, it took a little while for them to adjust to Maryland. Unsurprisingly, the OL and running game is not good and not going to get better. McCord is good. The WRs are good. Stover is good. But, if they can't run the ball they have basically the same offense they had last year with a good QB instead of a truly elite QB.

So, they're sort of maxed out.

This is way more like the 2002 team than it is the 2022 team. For this team, there's no digging out of a 14 point hole, especially against a good team. And, really, that's what you've seen over the course of 5 games. I wouldn't expect much to change.

[iam416]

F Penn State. God, I hate those fuckers. Next week is gonna suck hard.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Maybe not. McCord seems to be coming in to his own - or realizing he can throw endlessly to Harrison Jr. who is uncoverable at the point of the catch. I've not seen any CB that can beat Harrison Jr. even though coverage during the route was OK. Get the ball within Harrison Jr's catching range he'll come down with the ball more often than not. He is a weapon.

[iam416]

Thanks for the tip. Yeah, a top 5 pick is definitely a threat.

[Jeff Buchanan]

You think Day and McCord have been optimizing that threat? From 10K I don't see it but, I'm not watching enough of the full games to know with confidence. Since your run game kinds sucks, if your OL can keep McCord clean, Harrison Jr. can win the game for osu next week.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Pedo State v Third Base. Criminy. Like taking sides if China was at war with Iran...

[lineygoblue]

I hate Penn State almost as much as MSU. And I can't believe I'm saying this but I hate MSU more than OSU.

James Franklin can kiss my large Michigan-grown butt. Fricken Elmer Fudd wannabe ....

[THE_WIZARD_]

I hate all of you. Except crash. I pity him.