Michigan a giant killer? ESPN says the Wolverines are a team capable of dethroning the mighty SEC
ESPN believes the Michigan football team is a candidate to stop the mighty Southeastern Conference's recent national championship streak at some point in the near future.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
A team from the SEC has captured the Bowl Championship Series national championship in each of the past six seasons.
And, in 2011, two schools from the powerful southern league (LSU and Alabama) squared off in the BCS title game -- the first time that's ever happened.
ESPN.com recently pondered the question of which team in America might be most capable of finally ending the SEC's national championship run either this year or in the near future.
And coming in at No. 2 on the list was none other than the Michigan football team.
"Fifth in revenue, tops in attendance and coming off an 11-win season with a half-dozen starters returning on both sides of the ball, the Wolverines could very well be the team on this list best positioned to knock off the SEC in the shortest period of time," writes ESPN.com's Ryan McGee. "Especially with that showdown versus Alabama coming on Sept. 1."
Presently, the Wolverines are the highest-rated Big Ten team in the preseason edition of the USA Today Coaches Poll, coming in at No. 8.
ESPN rates USC as the team that's most likely capable of dethroning the SEC. Ohio State, who is ineligible for a bowl this season, comes in at No. 3. Florida State is No. 4, Texas is No. 5.
Comments
burton163
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 12:01 p.m.
Good grief...every time I read an article where some pundit mentions "U of M" and "national title" in 2012 I get heartburn. I love UM football as much or more than anyone, but I do not think this team is put together to make a run at 11 or more wins and beating the likes of 'Bama, MSU, Nebraska, OSU, etc. Yes they can and will beat one or more of these teams but all of them? Unlikely. I expect Denard to be vastly improved in his decision making and reduce mistakes and turnovers, and I feel the Oline will be dependable and one of the strengths on this year's team. But there are too many other areas of concern and the lack of depth and experience will be a weakness that hurts us as the season wears on and injuries take their toll. It pains me to say it but I think MSU is a team built for a run at a NT more so than UM this year. If their QB performs well out of the gate they will be tough to beat. Hope I'm wrong, but I see a respectable 8-4 or 9-3 season at best this year. 2013 and 2014? Then we can start talking about a team that should be formidable and built for a run at a NT.
Tom
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
Burton is a realist. We should all worry about 2013 when it comes. Sparty loses OSU and UW on their schedule in 2013-14. Had UM played UW in 2011 the Walverines would have been beaten by 3 or 4 TDs each time. 170 yards of total offense vs. VaTech was a sign of things to come in 2012. Robinson is the MOST OVERRATED player in the history of college football. He hasn't won diddly. How many top 10 recruiting classes has Wisconsin had in the past decade? Boise State? Borges is NOT impressive. His chuck and duck philosophy doesn't scare anyone. Spartan fans are literally drooling to get to October 20th. That game CANNOT come soon enough. Boise State has the most creative playbook in college football. They are a threat. MIchigan's lack of physicality leaves them doomed to 7-5 or 8-4 in 2012. A loss at OSU is also a LOCK!
SEC Fan
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
Exactly my prediction!
ThoseWhoStayUofM
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 5:09 a.m.
My prediction is Michigan wins against Alabama 5 to 4 as both offenses are completely dominated by the opposing defenses.... with the exception of one hail mary bomb thrown by Denard to Devin Gardner to set up a game winning field goal by "Brunette Girls" Gibbons. That's right... Michigan 5 Alabama 4 You heard it here first... I'm a prophet.
Luke Bromberg
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 : 3:33 a.m.
It is going to be a bigger scoring game than that
Nick Baumgardner
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 7:52 p.m.
How does Alabama get those two safeties, though, ThoseWhoStay?
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
hot dog, I just called my bookie.
Marksman72
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 2:23 a.m.
"Fifth in revenue, tops in attendance and coming off an 11-win season with a half-dozen starters returning on both sides of the ball, the Wolverines could very well be the team on this list best positioned to knock off the SEC in the shortest period of time". What does revenue and attendance have to do with wins and losses? The Cubs do this in baseball and look what they do every year. This isn't good logic. Look, U-m has 1 decent player in Robinson. This team is starting a lot of new players on the Offense and Defensive Lines. I see many, many holes there that will lead to a average season.
Howard the Duck
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.
I was thinking exactly the same thing. This "pundit" has zero credibility.
Terry Star21
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.
ESPN is right on of course - Michigan throughout history has the ability to beat anyone, anywhere and anytime. If the SEC schools had to all play Michigan, they wouldn't be over rated and atop the polls all the time. "mighty SEC". Seriously ? This is just too funny ! These teams are highly over rated every year because they mostly play one another. Michigan is 20-5 (7-1 since 94') against this SEC conference, pretty much on task with MAC schools. It's unfortunate because even the bama bashing from Michigan this fall will not change poll voters minds (well, bama's not the same team, lost players; excuse, SEC excuse, excuse...) ESPN and the SEC pretty much knows what all college football authoritarians know - Michigan is the team to beat. The are the nations best college football team, with the best players and best coaches - not gonna change soon. MgoBlueForTiM...still not reading replies.
Terry Star21
Sun, Nov 18, 2012 : 12:44 a.m.
Sorry Tom, 1983 architectural grad program, just like all your posts - pure fiction ! "Where's the threat" causes Dantonio to resign one day. Book it !
Tom
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.
Terry is delusional. He didn't attend U of M. His infatuation with Michigan football is HILARIOUS! Last "M" Big 10 football championship was in 2004... Where's the threat?
SEC Fan
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
Fyi Azwolverine...um is 1-3 against SEC teams with at least 10 wins. Your victories have always been against the bottom SEC teams.
Wes
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 7:12 p.m.
This dude will not get out of bed on Sept 2nd. The SEC didn't win six straight BCS titles by beating up on themselves.
azwolverine
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.
I'm a big time UM fan, but I certainly don't see UM 'bashing' Alabama. It's possible to win the game, but a bashing? Hopeful...but doubtful. As for the rest of your comment, yes, UM has dominated SEC foes over the past 10-15 years, including the like of Auburn, Arkansas, and even Alabama more than once. I can see that type of dominance returning under Hoke with this staff's great coaching and recruiting, it's just that the lines are still so thin that gives me pause for this season. Michigan won't roll over, but if they win, I believe it will be tight.
SEC Fan
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 12:53 a.m.
I so look forward to your comments on September 2nd....do remember these words.
RWBill
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
My first reaction was "they don't mean this year, do they?" how about we beat michigan state first?
umgoblue47
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 3:44 p.m.
the DUCK finally gets his wings!! GO BLUE!!!
azwolverine
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.
BTW, UM also has a winning record against Saban. Oh, but wait...that doesn't count. Those wins came against a lower tier school that Saban was coaching at.
azwolverine
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 1:27 a.m.
We play Alabama first, though, and it's not as if UM should just concede the game. I do think the article about UM knocking off SEC teams is aimed more towards the future, though, as UM always did well against the SEC prior to the previous coaching staff, and I believe UM has a winning record against Alabama all time. So, first we try to knock off Alabama then we'll worry about knocking off sparty. In either case, playing Alabama should help UM prepare for the B10 season.
Howard the Duck
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.
When pigs fly!
MRunner73
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
For my fav's Ted and SEC Fan, relax; it sounds like a lot of hype for this game. Actually, Michigan's recruiting class of 2013 is a harbinger of things to come. The recruiting class is on par with the SEC teams. I do feel that the coaching staff can develop these players during their collegiate careers and Michigan is more likely to dethone the SEC in a few years IF this trend continues. I may bleed Maize and Blue but I think 2012 is too soon, even if Michigan does does pull a huge upset in a few weeks. As I said before, I hope the game is a nail biter with the team who is on offense last, wins the game. Go Blue!
RWBill
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 11:06 p.m.
Let's hope. I had concerns about the Michigan lines already, now Wormly and Pipkins are out, DUI Touissant may be suspended and Roundtree may not play. A team with a lack of depth has gotten thinner. Bama has loads of talent and depth but in the first game all kinds of things can happen. I would like to see the game in a couple of years when Brady's recruits are matured and experienced.
MRunner73
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 10:45 p.m.
I hope you're right on that RW, but some remarks made in the past makes you think Alabama will thrash Michigan 49-10 like they did to Sparty the year before last. That's why they play the game.
RWBill
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 9:48 p.m.
As a real Michigan fan, I hope Michigan wins 24-0. I have never hoped for another team winning the game in their last possession. That very thought makes me hurl.
SEC Fan
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
heee...heee...heee.... oohhhhh...I so cannot wait!!!!!
Blu n Tpa
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 : 1:06 p.m.
Well, I guess aa.com prefers having posts like the one above to something meaningful or protective of Michigan. Does this post meet the site requirements for engaging a high level of discourse or does it read like a text from two middle schoolers? How does it relate to the article or to anything someone wrote about the article? It's childish and unwarranted for a site that is suppose to be the voice of Michigan and all things related to Michigan.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 12:40 p.m.
a pox on you SEC Fan...I hope a macadamia nut gets lodged in your esophagus and you spend the second half in triage. .....;)
ted
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
i have a bad feeling about the Alabama game. I hope it doesn't get embarrassing. Unfortunately if Borges has anything to say out it we will not be putting more than 3 points on the board. And that will only come when Alabama turns it over in their own territory. But at least the process of removing Borges and taking steps in the right direction will have begun once the final whistle blows.
MassMittenz
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
AZ, It was OSU's worst team in about 12 years, but I love what we did against Nebraska. I believe both games were more indicative of what our defense has accomplished, which gave our offense those multitudes of opportunities. I'm not sure if our offense can do the same against the likes of Alabama.
azwolverine
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 1:18 a.m.
Borges is one of the best in the business. UM's offense if now capable of scoring against top defenses, with OSU and Nebraska being the most obvious examples versus how they performed against quality opposition the previous three seasons. That was only year one under Borges, too. Year two with him should see even further improvement.
Wes
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
Hey, you could have Ted Roof as a DC like PSU. Count yourself lucky.
BornInA2
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
"Presently, the Wolverines are the highest-rated team in the preseason edition of the USA Today Coaches Poll, coming in at No. 8. " I think the writer has omitted "Big 10" between 'rated' and 'team'? Hail!
Nick Baumgardner
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
You're right, guys. That's my fault. It's been fixed.
RWBill
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
I was going to say.....
Wes
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
Dethroning the SEC is going to take more than an upset of the previous year's best team. I fully expet Bama to win by about 10 points, maybe more depending. Michigan could pull the upset, but they will have to have a heck of a game passing the ball. In 5 of Alabama's 6 losses since 2008 the opposing teams threw for over 200 yards. I say UM needs 100 yards rushing, over 200 yards passing and a little luck. Denard averaged 167 ypg passing last season I don't see it happening. 2011 LSU 91 passing yards 2010 AU 216 passing 2010 LSU 208 Passing 2010 USC 201 Passing 2008 Utah 336 Passing 2008 UF 216 Passing
Nick Baumgardner
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 7:50 p.m.
Very good stat breakdown, Wes. Michigan doesn't have to light up the scoreboard against Alabama to win, but it cannot be stagnant or make stupid miscues. Robinson says he worked a ton on his footwork and decision-making in the offseason. We'll find out how much it pays off really, really quick.
MRunner73
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 10:52 p.m.
Good stats, I will watch and see how Michigan's passing game evolves in Dallas. I would hope maybe Al Borges might know about this. Then, can he and his offense pull it off?
xmo
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
I think ESPN.com's Ryan McGee needs to enroll in a substance abuse program! Michigan State on New Years Day beat one of the division leaders last year, meanwhile Non Division leader Michigan beat the 2nd place team in the ACC. Now they are FINALLY playing an outstanding team, I will watch the game and decide.
barnz378
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
XMO. Didn't you know that beating Michigan IS the biggest win of the year for most teams? Or does it just seam that way? Teams look to Michigan probably the way the Wolverines are focused on Bama. What I find interesting, when Michigan lost to State, we didn't go down the tubes. But if State loses to Michigan, there is serious concerns in East Lansing. When Michigan beats Sate, it is not the greatest season ever for the wolvies. just another win. Np storming the field like ND. State measures itself by its shadow of AA. not the nationial picture. It is funny how when we read ND football news, State news, OSU news, there are no UM trolls. But on a Michigan site? Look out! Here come the Spartys. They have commented on every Alabama/Michigan piece there is. Funny, nothing better to do.
Tom
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.
You're right...wins over Michigan have become so easy that they no longer qualify as "counts". LOL! Where's the threat?
Mohawk
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
state chokes when it counts
psaume23
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 3:27 a.m.
This is an article about UM. Why not "contribute" to the comments on the Sparty articles and be positive about the attributes of your own favorite teams? You'll feel much better.
1998pa
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
You're right, John. The biggest upset ever was Appalachian State over No. 5 Michigan. I kid, I kid! That was a low blow. Seriously, though, I agree with you. I think the spread is a pretty fair assessment, but it's not an impossible win. Just not very likely.
treetowncartel
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.
And two years ago MSU got a good old Alabama whooping as did Michigan.
BeatTownBlue
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
But nobody cares about MooU! Didn't you know that?
John
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
Alabama is a 13 point favorite, which sounds about right. However it wouldn't be the biggest upset ever if Michigan was to win.