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Posted on Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 11:38 a.m.

Michigan football team likely to be overrated in 2012, Gary Danielson says

By AnnArbor.com Staff

Both the Michigan and Michigan State football teams are likely to be overrated early in 2012, CBS college football sports analyst Gary Danielson says in a video on SI.com.

Danielson, a former Detroit Lions quarterback, likes Michigan, but says the schedule will work against the Wolverines.

"They won that bowl game, they won 11 games, everybody is excited, everybody believes Big Blue is back," he says in the video. "I think there are still a lot of holes on defense. I think this is a team that is going to travel to Nebraska next year, to Ohio State, which is going to have Urban Meyer as their head coach."

Check out the complete SI.com video below.

Comments

Albee Macaw

Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.

I see that the Urbanator at Ohio State also axed two guys today. It is good to see these two powerhouses keep their homes in order.

Hebner

Sat, Jan 14, 2012 : 9:07 p.m.

I am glad he did not commentate the sugar bowl, because he sides with one team and repeats himself often. I thought the team that did our game were excellent. Danielson can stay in the sec as far as Big Ten fans are concerned.

ChelseaBob

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.

Gary Danielson? That's rights, he's famous for...................................... Help me out here. Why would anyone care what Gary Danielson has to say?

Mike D

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.

I only care because his SEC propaganda has hurt Michigan at least once, back in 2007. This guy has hyped the SEC every chance he gets. Generally the media is assued to be objective. Danielson is not and should be treated as a SEC pundit.

bluemax79

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.

he speaks the truth on the holes on Defense Martin, VanBergen and Heninger played HUGE roles in getting the D playing well this year and shutting down the run, they will be missed. the total lack of receruiting for Defense during the dark times will haunt us next year. Good that Hoke and staff is focusing a lot of resources into recruiting kids who can play D in the B1G.

Mick

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 3:30 a.m.

Hey you know what? Good ole' Gary was overrated: -as a Lions QB in the 80's -as a local pundit in the 90's -as an analyst for CBS for much of the 2000's -also as an analyst for 2011 -and yes he'll be overrated again for 2012 and beyond. Basically Gary, you are very overrated!

Mike D

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.

You have a good point. Basically every team that is in the top 25 is overrated until they prove themselves in the 1st few weeks of the season. For instance Oklahoma was rated #1 this pre-season. They did well for a few games and retained their number 1 ranking. Later in the season, we found that they were truely overated for one reason or another. My point is that a ranking is no more than an prediction based on the information at hand at the time of the ranking. If Danielson's point is that "hype" causes overrating, he is correct, however what team is more "hyped" than Alabama right now, therefore they could also be overated.

umgoblue47

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.

well al bee, someone left the cage door open on my talking macaw bird and he has flown away. . . if you see him pay him no mind. . . he talks a lot but really doesent say much!! GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!

Ed daggett

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.

lost 2 of 3 games this yr in conference with teams that had winning record. Teams they beat this yr with winning records lost 5 of 6 bowl games. BH to me is George Perles with dark hair

rightmind250

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.

Looks more like Flounder to me.

Blu-dogg97

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 4:26 a.m.

wrong ... ED Perles never won a BCS Bowl game..

Tally10

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.

Danielson wasn't derogatory towards neither UM or MSU, actually, good points on both. UM won 11 games this year including the Sugar Bowl, so there will be some hype and maybe a high preseason ranking, however, with their 2012 schedule ( Bama in Texas, ND, NEB, and OSU on the road ), they could possibly lose 4 games. Eight of the eleven wins this year was at home, they will not have that luxury next year.

RudeJude

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.

Well, overrated or not, that first game will tell us a lot, and set our ratings accordingly.

Mike D

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.

Gary Danielson is in the pocket of the SEC and the SEC is in his pocket. Therefore every word coming out of his mouth will benefit his as an SEC pundit. Even though he is an ex-Purdue QB, he knows where his bread is buttered. He was one of the reasons why Michigan did not get a re-match with OSU a few years back; He talked up Florida so much that he convinced veryone that they were the best team in the country.

MRunner73

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.

Danielson sees only SEC Teams. If he were to spend as much time watch Big 10 teams, he'd think a little differently. I know he is bought and paid for by the SEC so I wouldn't expect anything less. He's also wrong on the account that Michigan may be rated correctly preseason. The Maize and Blue are not well inside the Top 10, maybe in the 10 to 15 bracket. I also agree with some of the comments that you cannot underestimate Brady Hoke or Greg Mattison or even Al Borges. The 2011 team definetly overachieved and we should not expect much less in 2012.

RWBill

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.

The headline is somewhat inflammatory and misleading. Early in the bit Daniellson uses the term overhyped, not overrated, although he does use the term overrated in rankings once later on. He doesn't say Michigan will take a step backward, rather, matching 11 wins will be difficult because of the schedule and the games that are away. That's it. Pretty much everyone commenting here agrees with that.

Goofus

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 1:52 a.m.

"Inflammatory & misleading" is what A2dotcom does best with all their UM football coverage.

getmoney

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.

Take Danielson for what he is, an employee of the SEC, through its PR firm CBS. Whether his observations are correct or not, it is not an accident he singled out the teams that won the biggest bowl games for the Big Ten and Clemson, a school taking recruits from the SEC schools. No SEC schools were on the list. Bet Georgia and Vanderbilt will be on his underrated list. Personally, at this waaaaaaay too early stage, Michigan looks like a 9 win team going into the bowl game, even with more experienced talenton the roster. Just remember, Gary Danielson is bought and paid for by the good ol' boys in Atlanta.

getmoney

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 1:41 a.m.

Can't tell if they are overrated until they are rated. This was GD's shot at programs that are drawing attention away from the SEC.

RWBill

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.

So you largely agree with him. Me too.

A2James

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.

Possibly. But it is even more possible that Danielson was overrated as a pro QB, and overrated as a journalist!

heartbreakM

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.

Ever since listening to Danielson lobby for Florida to play in that championship game in 2007 (as opposed to UM-Ohio rematch), I lost total respect for him. ( I did not disagree with his reasoning, but I felt he was being heavy handed and essentially anti-Big ten by claiming we were weaker than Florida, who very nearly lost to a div II school that year and also barely won a few other games). Interesting that he did not do the same this year with Bama vs. Oklahoma State, showing how hypocritical he is. I used to think that he was a very good announcer, but since his switch to the SEC network, I have viewed him as a big blowhard full of himself. I care about what he thinks insofar as he has influence, but otherwise? Gotta play the game. If Michigan wins these games, then they are good as advertised. If they lose? Then they aren't. A challenging schedule is just what every team should want. That's how victors and champions are formed.

heartbreakM

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.

@Ed: Re-read what I said above rather than jumping on me. It's not that he was right or wrong, it was his loud insulting approach, and his behavior since then has only shown what a hypocrite he was. He used some reasoning at that time about not being a conference champion, about already losing head-to-head, etc. All fine rationale, but why did not he publicly lobby for Oklahoma State this year? He should have been publicly against Bama in this year's championship game, using the same rationale. (Bama didn't win their conference, they already lost to LSU). Yet, all we heard from him and his pal on CBS was how Bama deserved to be there. (Regardless of the results in the final game, he is not consistent and a total SEC lackey).

Ed daggett

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 1:33 a.m.

didn't he get proven right as M was destroyed in bowl by USC and OSU was destroyed by Florida?

a2citizen

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.

I lost all respect for danielson in 1983 when he threw four interceptions in a playoff game against the 49'ers. Two led to touchdowns. After the game he refused man-up and accept any blame for the 24-23 loss. Since then I don't listen to anything he says.

treetowncartel

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.

I wish it were only 18 years but it is 28. Where does the time go?

RWBill

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.

Well that certainly disqualifies him from making observations about college football 18 years later. ROFL.

smokeblwr

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.

He's right. We stink. We should just give up and let the SEC get the top 12 spots in the preseason rankings.

RWBill

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.

Talk about blowing smoke, did you even listen to what he said or were just misled by the headline? Actually listen to what he said and see if that somehow equates to "Michigan stinks". Wow.

treetowncartel

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 6:01 p.m.

The SEC just lost their first National Championship game on Monday, yet they also just won their 6 National Championship in a row on Monday. Right now, they are the dominant conference in college football. Well I i would love to see that change, I'm not gonna hide from reality.

Michigan Man

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.

Danielson knows nothing about Michigan football. Whenever someone "in the know" refers to Michigan football as "Big Blue" I just tune out immediately. It would be best for all if Danielson just disappeared forever!

rightmind250

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.

Michiganman, I shared a duplex condo with Danielson and his family in Naples. He is a pretty intelligent guy. I guarantee you wouldn't call him a pissant to his face. He doesn't drink the kool-aid he is going to tell it like he see's it.

blue91mba

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 6:27 a.m.

Michigan alumnus stuck in the mid-south ... Big Blue is what Kentucky is called. Danielson doesn't know what Hoke and the gang are bringing, any more than he knows how to pronounce Tecumseh. Go Blue!

GoBigBlue

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.

LOL. Thank you Michigan Man! And yes you have full access and permission to read any and all of my future posts. Honestly, I've been a Michigan fan since I was maybe 10, am 30 now. I assume the "Big Blue" title was initially meant for and assigned to the New York Giants. However, when I would occasionally hear it applied to our Wolverines, it just kinda sounded cool so I've enjoyed calling them that on occasion. I've grown up in MI my whole life and attended Siena Heights University where I completed my BBA. I'm not a UM alum, but consider myself to be a Wolverine football fanatic. My wife says Michigan football stalker fits me better but what does she know. : ) I would think most posters on this board are a bit obsessed with our Woverine football program as well. I agree with you 100% about Danielson. He is and will continue to be an SEC shill.

Michigan Man

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 11:05 p.m.

GoBigBlue - I can tell that you are very smart! You are an important exception - I trust you will give me dispensation to continue to read, ponder and comment on your postings? I do, however, still think Danielson is a pissant.

GoBigBlue

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.

Ouch! "Michigan Man". That hurts. Does that mean you will not be reading any of my comments??

Theo's Brother

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.

Yep yep. Spoken from a Detroit native, Purdue grad, and SEC turncoat. Yep makes perfect sense.

treetowncartel

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.

Uhm, think again, Danielson is not a has been. First, he is the weekly commentator for the game of the week in the most relevant conference at this point in time, the SEC. Which by the way, had 3 of the top 5 teams at the end of this years season. Remember, we all said it doesn't matter where you are ranked in October, it matters where you are ranked at the end of the year. Second,he breaks down film just as good, if not better, than any other announcer out there. Quit being haters. Oh, and he doesn't mind being proven wrong and admits to it when it happens. Personally, I think the game in Dallas should be good prep for our road schedule this year, If we do lose, as long it is not a demoralizing loss the team will be well prepared for the adverse positions they will find themselves in on the road. Saban had that team of his ready to play them corndogs down in Louisiana on Monday and they ate them up. We need to be much better at moving the line of scrimmage on 1st down then we were against VA Tech if we want to hold our own in that game.

Craig Lounsbury

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:22 p.m.

Having watched the video he couldn't more more right about MSU and more wrong about Michigan. How can a guy be so off and on in a 2 minute video? ;)

aarox

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.

lol!

BigWolverine13

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.

Danielson could very well be right, but on the other hand, I've learned not to underestimate Brady Hoke. We shall see!

Commoncents

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.

A lot of times sports is about luck..... and this year Michigan had luck on their side for sure (Notre Dame, Sugar Bowl, returning talent, great recruits, mature and healthier players, no injuries, etc) Next year, lets hope for the best - we're just fans anyway - it's all we CAN do !

Craig Lounsbury

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.

I agree. Coach Hoke had an outstanding first season all things considered. We can hope that as he gets more and more players that better fit his system things will look good for awhile.

RWBill

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.

Can't disagree with that, and he didn't even mention starting off by traveling to Dallas to play the best coached, best prepared, still most athletic team in the country.

a2roots

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 4:56 p.m.

Why in the world should anyone care what this has been has to say.

Ken Boyd

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.

Because he knows more about football than you do.