Michigan Football, Team 137, 2016 Season.

[WM Wolverine]

OL is not a worry but like Talent said, it was far from a strength last season and returns most of the same cast.

DeVeon Smith looked a bit more explosive (wasn't getting touched behind the LOS helps a lot) vs Florida, was that the healthy version or just a 1 game performance? Drake Johnson imo was M's best 'looking' running back the 2-3 games he's been healthy his entire career...

Running game should be improved but it'll be a passing based offense with Chesson, Darboh, Butt all returning.

[Hannibal]

Insane depth and talent with the H-Back/Fullback/TE types. Wish that we could transfer some of that talent to the OL or the linebackers.

[Hannibal]

I think that's a thin reed on which to rest your hopes.

I probably shouldn't even use the word "hope" anymore. More like: "This is how I will define success". If our offense is medicore and can't move the ball, even against really good defenses, then that to me will be failure.

[jaadam4]

A pretty good read on how Big Ten Network analyst Gerry DiNardo thought M was way over hyped but says they can be just that good.

Its too long to post but one surprise part of the article was that Speight looked better. This is starting to scare me a little

“Both quarterbacks were good, but I thought Speight had a better day,” DiNardo said. “They’re (Michigan) in a better position today (at quarterback) than they were a year ago at this time.”

[lineygoblue]

DiNardo basically repeated what Harbaugh said.

He said all the quarterbacks are playing well, and he even mentioned Shane Morris.

[Detroit Dan]

All the stars are aligned this year for Michigan. The schedule ramps up gradually. We have zero chance of losing out of conference, with reduced likelihood of injuries as a consequence (less stress). Then the early part of the B1G schedule (Penn State, Wisconsin) will provide some good tests, but nothing we shouldn't be able to handle. We should be hitting a peak in focus and confidence entering the meat of the schedule October 29 (MSU) through November 26 (OSU).

The offensive line may surprise on the upside as they certainly did well against Florida in the bowl game, and will face the best in practice against Michigan's defensive line.

I'll predict 14-1 with a loss to Alabama in the national championship game.

[jaadam4]

Hello homer.. Welcome.. You are home.

[Detroit Dan]

Absolutely a fair weather fan. The weather is looking mighty fair.

[jaadam4]

lol

[jaadam4]

I loved reading the take on the end of the presser talking about the 2 suspended players over at mgoblog...


There were three freshmen missing from the team picture: Shelton Johnson, Kareem Walker, [Ahmir] Mitchell. Are they on the team? Is there any discipline with them and what’s the reason? Has the roster changed at all since we were given it?
“I don’t think you have your information right.”
[MGoStreamOfConsciousness: Ah, football season is truly upon us now. The playful banter, the result of the never-ending cat and mouse game, is back.]
They weren’t in the photo.
“Who’d you say?”
[MGoStreamOfConsciousness: He’s more receptive to straightening this out than you’d think he’d be.]
Kareem Walker, Shelton Johnson, and Ahmir Mitchell. Is there a reason for it?
“No, they were all invited to it.”
Are they all currently in good standing? Are they with the program?
“Uh, there’s…two of those players are suspended.”
[MGoStreamOfConsciousness: That’s…that’s actually more than I thought he’d say. New season, new leaf, I guess.]
Who are they?
[MGoStreamOfConsciousness: Oh no. No no no. Why is his brow furrowing? Wait, is that a brow furrow/smirk combo?]
“Uh…you know, I know you like to ask a lot of questions, but we’ll just handle that internally.”
How long of a suspension are those guys out for?
[MGoStreamOfConsciousness: Whoahoho that is fire in his eyes, literal fire.]
“That’s why I don’t give you any information, because you’re never satisfied. You always want a second question, a third question, a fourth question. I just said we’d handle it internally. Thank you.
[MGoStreamOfConsciousness: That looks like the way you shift your weight when you’re about to take a step forward but—]
“Good? Thanks a lot.”
[MGoStreamOfConsciousness: Oh, okay, yeah, that’s definitely a step forward and I’m directly in the path he’s trying to use to walk out better not turn this into an awkward left-right-left shuffle that middle-of-the-hallway walkers do when they run into each other turn sideways now Adam TURN SIDEWAYS welp he’s gone.]

[lineygoblue]

I really liked how Harbaugh handled that presser.

They don't need to know everything.

Anyone who has seen Harbaugh at work knows he doesn't use the press to assist in disciplining his players, or 'sending messages' to them. He handles it privately, and in house.

Good for him.

[jaadam4]

i think its funny

[hack]

It was. I think Harbaugh has a baseline of respect for the concept of the media, if not some its actual members. That plus having a personality allows him to handle this stuff with a bit of grace and style.

[Rocky Bleier]

It was completely unnecessary. Just say which two players were suspended. It's not like it's a big secret. How long? Just say it hasn't been determined yet if you don't want to talk about it. Then you can shut them down if they want any more information.

[Detroit Dan]

I'm going with 14-1 for this year (scaled back from my previous 16 and minus 1) based upon the defense. This should be the best defense ever. The D-Line and secondary were fantastic last year, and added top talent in the freshman class, while getting back key players from injury. With Peppers as a linebacker, we have a top athlete there too. This defense should be able to play with any team in the country, including Alabama.