Michigan Football, Team 137, 2016 Season.

[iam416]

I like Ohio State at #4.

[Mike]

They are seriously #4 after losing 16 starters?

[iam416]

Well, according to Athlon's "way too early" preseason top 25. My guess is they'll weigh in around 7 to 10 by summer. Probably right around where M is. Most preseason folks won't properly take into account just how fucking awesome O'Korn will be and will think, hmmm, "shitty running game and questionable passing game."

[Cody_Russell]

OSU will have no problem with the B10 cupcakes.
They just have a couple tough games at Oklahoma (which should be amazing), at Wisconsin, at PSU, at MSU, and vs Michigan.
OSU should win most of those however unless something we have never seen with that team happens....

I don't think they will make the playoffs, but should finish in the 7-15 range once the final rankings come out. Maybe 10-3? 11-3?

[iam416]

In 2014, Ohio State returned 3 starters on offense none of them were as good as JTB or Elflein. They lost 4 out of 5 OL, 3 of whom started in the NFL as rookies. They lost Carlos Hyde. And they lost Braxton Miller. There were growing pains, but things gradually came together.

On the defensive side, they had a good core on the DL returning -- Bosa, Bennett and Washington. They also had Perry and Grant at LB, but that was little solace given they way the defense played in 2013. Doran Grant was back, but the rest of the secondary was giant question mark. They lost Shazier and Roby off a defense that was generally plain bad.

IMO, they're considerably better off on offense in 2016 than they were in 2014. They're not quite as well off on defense. I really like the DL coming back and McMillan is a stud at LB. But it's not the DL they had in 2014 and while I think Conley will be a good CB, he's not Doran Grant.

So, we'll see. I tend to have faith in UFM to put a decent team on the field. 3-4 losses is certainly realistic, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did a little better. It is, of course, a given that UFM will lose to HARBAUGH!!!!

[Rocky Bleier]

Athlon's "way too early" preseason top 25:

http://athlonsports.com/college-football/very-early-college-football-top-25-2016

[WM Wolverine]

9 wins easily for the Buckeyes, their past four recruiting classes:

'16 (#2)
'15 (#7)
'14 (#3)
'13 (#2)

They can sustain the graduates, early entries as well as anyone in the nation.

[Rocky Bleier]

As Harbaugh tweeted, you reap what you sow:

http://mweb.cbssports.com/ncaaf/eye-on-college-football/25441414/report-stanfords-david-shaw-not-interested-in-interview-with-49ers

[iam416]

9-3 would disappoint. I'm hoping this season establishes OSU on Bama's level. They'll have as much or more talent than every team on the schedule. They'll just be inexperienced. In some ways it's easier to motivate those kids. We'll see.

[AlabamAlum]

USC, Bama's first opponent, may have more 5 star players on roster. They apparently haven't been developed, though.

[SeattleLionsFan]

UFM is the best college coach in the land. I would never expect them to lose more than 2 games while he is coaching. :(

[iam416]

The Nick.

Urbs is really good. Couple others as good or better.

[WM Wolverine]

Nick's built Bama up to that point, we'll see this season if Meyer has built such a machine in Columbus. Imo Meyer is the better coach as I've shared as much before though Meyer has much less competition in the B1G.

[AlabamAlum]

Saban is pretty good. Playing for our 4th NC in 7 years and has around a .900 win pct since 2008.

Wins by year since 2008:

2008: 12
2009: 14
2010: 10
2011: 12
2012: 13
2013: 11
2014: 12
2015: 13

It's been a nice run. Hate he is mid 60's.

[drok]

John Baxter is headed back to USC to coach Special Teams.