Posted on Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 12:02 p.m.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit: Ohio State will start 5-0 and Michigan can win 8 games
By AnnArbor.com Staff
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit says Ohio State still has the talent to open the season 5-0 and head into its Oct. 8 game against Nebraska unbeaten. And he's impressed with the Michigan football team, saying eight victories is a realistic goal for first-year coach Brady Hoke.
"There's so much momentum right now in Ann Arbor, and I think it's legitimate," he said.
See all of Herbstreit's comments on the Big Ten Conference in this ESPN video:
Comments
zeeba
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
Herbstreit thinks a decimated OSU team with a green QB is going to beat a seasoned MSU squad? Good luck with that. U-M could win eight, but that's got to be the top end of expectations for them this year. The defense is still going to be a weakness, considering the mismatch between the available players and the new scheme being installed. On offense, the switch from the spread will dull the effectiveness of what had been it's #1 weapon, and there are significant doubts about Robinson's ability as a passer when defenses aren't keying on him out of the spread. I'm guessing 6-7 wins is the most likely scenario - a bowl game, but just barely. I think Hoke's going to be a good coach, but there's just too much of a mess to clean up this year.
Blu-dogg97
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
Herbie claimed osu would get Herron and Posse back for the Husker game, Thats if the NCAA infractions committee doesn't rule them ineligible for the season ,which it could !! I did hear Frickell on the HUGE show (radio) yesterday,and I was impressed with him.. he seems like an upstanding young coach imo. He was asked if he has been in contact with Tressel,and if Tressel has any influence on the team,and he did reply no to both questions.. He could be pulling our leg there,but have to take him for his word ,till proven different i guess.. I think he's a good fit for osu.. I say watch out for them,they will rally the troops to try and prove everybody wrong type of thing,specially that game in AA. But Freshmen QB, and HC could be they're demise.. GO BLUE..
cutty240
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
With the CupCake Teams they Both Play.Both should be undeafted.The Big Ten plays no one of any Merit.That whys they get there u now whats kicked in Bowl Games.I will tell you this Ohio State is better without Sweather Vest.He was terrible Coach.He just had Great Talent.Don't go to sleep on Ohio State.I also think the team didn't like Pryor either.The Big Ten Title still goes through Columbus,believe me.
azwolverine
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 1:23 a.m.
Yeah, Vest was horrible. Hire Cooper back.
B1
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.
What would Herbie's prediction be if Harbaugh was coaching?
Dennis
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.
Herby is so predictable. Not even the off season has dampened his zeal. He will be blathering all season long one way or another. Either how great OSTat is doing or why OSTat is missing Tress and Pryr. Either way he will be the same ol Herby. Blah blah blah
Lorain Steelmen
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:06 p.m.
Look, fans... the Nebraska and osu games are at home, late in the season, no less. UM will at least split these two, possibly take them both. (I think the Huskers are the tougher opponent, right now, because they have the better offense.) UM doesn't get Wisc or PSU, unless they catch them in the championship game. ND is at home. The toughest road game is msu, since the 'little brothers' get a bye, and two weeks, to get ready for UM...and, they have a veteran QB. If the hoke-sters win that one..look out. I figure 11-1, possibly 12-0, going into the championship game. There are NO unbeatable teams on our schedule. Just understand that UM will NOT get any 'style' points. Those days are over. But anyone who doesn't think UM can't run the table, isn't listening to Hoke/Mattison. No excuses means, well, no excuses. So bring on WMU, and lets' get this thing going. Let's boogie!!!!!!!!!
truebluefan
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 5:18 a.m.
LS - I've always respected your opinions here. But I just don't see an 11 win team this season. I think our maximum is 9 wins. For sure losses, IMO, are ND, MSU and Nebraska. Northwestern, Iowa and OSU are tossups. At best we win two of three tossup games. We're staring down the barrel of an 8-4 regular season. God forbid SDSU comes in with a mission and catches us off guard. If so, it could be 7 wins. Vegas pegs our O/U on wins at 7. The line is holding steady. They're typically pretty spot on.
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
AZ, sorry, but if you think you're a 6-6 team, you will BE a 6-6 team! Conversely, if you think you are a 11-1 team you will play like a 11-1 team. That is exactly the point of the last three weeks..'ugly season'. Hoke is creating an attituude, and finding out 'who will pay the price' to be 11-1. This isn't about press clippings anymore, it is 'show time', and none of the 'pretty guys' will be getting much PT. This is about winning #43. And you don't do that by winning 6 games.
azwolverine
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
No excuses doesn't mean irrational expectations. This team will be fundamentally better, for sure. They will be tougher, more physical, and far more competitive against the heavyweights of the B1G then they have been in the past three years. However, 11-1 or 12-0 one year removed from 6 losses in which they weren't even competitive in the least seems like a stretch, imo. I won't set any perceived win total, but I will predict a much better team that will challenge teams from beginning to end and will represent Michigan the way we fans want Michigan to be represented on and off the football field.
Blue Marker
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
Probable wins: EMU, WSU, SDSU, Pur, Minn. Probable loses: MSU, Neb., Iowa Swing games: SDSU, NW, Illni, OSU I'm thinking 7-5 is the best case. That means winning two "swing" games. I think their best shot in those is Illni and OSU. I know people are expecting more. Don't hate on me just because I see it differently. No one would be more pleased with me being wrong than I. But the last few years has taught me that transitions are tough. We'll see.
Blue Marker
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
Sorry, meant to put ND as the other Swing game, not SDSU.
Only The Truth
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
We will shock the world! 11-1 !
DonAZ
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
If so, then great! Would *love* to see that. BTW, who do you predict would be that "1"?
DonAZ
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.
I've always like Herbstreit. I agree his predictions are not really that bold. I'd be "happy" with an 8-4 team provided we see a good and consistent improvement game-over-game in key areas of the play. We can't expect a miracle. But we can expect improved fundamentals, fewer mistakes, and more physical play.
Meangoblue
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
There is this one security guard I know at the Gibraltar Trade Center Flea Market. He said "Herbstreit knows what he's talking about, he buys all of his tatoo ink and kool aid here. He also plays kissy-face with all of the MCC members." MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEANchigan football will retirn from the shamble!! If Y'all don't believe this, wait till you see ole D. Rob scramble!!
Mick
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
Tsio might go 5-0 to start the season (Miami Game might have been a loss if they didn't have turmoil also, still might be a loss though), but after that they're gonna have a tough time with either a QB named Bauzerman, I think, or a Freshman. That will take it's toll eventually when they go into Lincoln and AA not to mention games against MSU and Wiscy. U-M has just as good a chance as anyone in our division, we have an experienced QB and OL, if the rest of the team is improved, great things can happen. Go for TiM!!!
missionbrazil
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:41 p.m.
I won't be surprised at all if we are 8-4 or possibly 9-3 at the end of the season, and then finish it off with a bowl win. Go Blue !
81wolverine
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:27 p.m.
Not a big "go out on a limb" prediction IMO regarding TSIO's record in the first 5 games. But I agree with him on Michigan probably being an 8 win team. If Hoke and Mattison can cobble together a decent defense, we can achieve that level of wins.
Chad Williams
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.
Pretty decent predictions. I think Osu and mich will both start 5-0 but the lack of real competition is the reason why. Both of their toughest games are at home in that stretch. November will be the tell all for the big ten in general, except nebraska as they get the hammer from the start.