This year's Kansas will be...

[MarkL]

... Michigan.

Huh? Why Michigan? Do they even fit the bill? Well, if you are looking for a non-bowl-bound 2007 team that wins a BCS bowl in 2008, then you're not going to find it anywhere. But, if you're looking for a team that's not expected to be anything on the national scene that turns out to be one of the best in the country, here's a good pick.

RichRod's offense is a dynamic one, but he's not going to force either Threet or Sheridan to pretend to be Pat White. Instead, he'll use them for their best skills, which is of course passing. My pick is for Threet to start at QB and chuck the ball everywhere, and of course hand or pitch off to RBs and WRs and keep speed all around the field at all times. And it's not like he's immobile or anything. He played a version of the spread option in his high school senior year and was I think a four star prospect when he went to Georgia Tech. From what I've heard from a couple of Michigan insiders, the QBs are really emerging as leaders and playmakers. The RBs are just fine apparently, and the WRs are young but very fast and talented. The O Line is young, fit, and strong. The defense is stacked top to bottom.

Now there's the problem of youth. Sure, there's really no experience on offense, but if you were a new head coach installing a radically different offense from what had been there, what would you rather inherit, a team with seniors everywhere who have played three years in the old schemes, or a bunch of talented young players who can pick up a new offense easier? In my opinion, Rodriguez couldn't have walked into a better situation at Michigan.

There's the offensive line to worry about. O lines are best when they return at least three starters. Michigan returns I think just one. I'm not worried about them, though. Two thoughts: one, read the above paragraph. That applies to O lineman just as much as the QB because the spread option blocking scheme is entirely different from the pro style blocking scheme, so starting from scratch may be good. The other thought: Justin Boren. He was the lineman that transferred to Ohio State. Again, coming from Michigan insiders, the guy was out of shape, wasn't working hard, and was relying on the principle of "My daddy was a star at Michigan so I should be one too". So Ohio State is inheriting a talented but apparently lazy offensive lineman that's not willing to work hard and learn something new.

As for another change there, I see a drastic improvement in attitude. Michigan never had that "killer instinct" under Lloyd Carr. They would be ahead in the game, but they would never put the nail in the coffin. In 2005, they lost to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Nebraska because they stepped off the gas pedal late in the game when they were ahead on offense. (Or bad reffing in one case.) They'd do little one yard runs, not get a first down, punt the ball back to the other team, and we all know what happens then. Rodriguez is going to bring a change in attitude that will get them to dominate, not just get by, an opponent. Sure, it's classy to not run up the score, but Lloyd Carr was just not winning games because they didn't ever put the game away.

So my prediction for Michigan ... it may be bad early on. They will lose to Utah and/or Notre Dame because the offense will have miscues. With time, that will go away. I expect, at season's end, for Michigan to be the best team in the Big 10. They probably will not win the championship due to earlier losses, but they will be the overall best team. They might lose to Penn State on the road, but they beat Michigan State, and either or both Wisconsin and Illinois at home. Then comes their favorite team down in Columbus ... the team that gets severe headaches every time they play a wide open spread offense with fast players everywhere. I know its a bold prediction, but I'll say right now that Michigan will play a hell of a game against Ohio St. They will definitely keep it close, and I really want to lean towards saying the new Rich Rodriguez era will be ushered in with a massive upset. I know that sounds illogical, but I really see the pieces in place for Michigan to do the unthinkable and beat Ohio St in Columbus this year and return the favor from Tressel's first year in 2001.

Sorry for the long post, but there's a lot of thoughts and I hope good content here. Any thoughts on this prediction? Any other teams to play the Kansas role?

[Columbus Falcon]

I like another blue blood program in Nebraska. Bo Pelini is going to shore up that defense in a hurry. Frankly I thought that Nebraska team mailed it in last year.

[tekekini]

... Michigan.

Huh? Why Michigan? Do they even fit the bill? Well, if you are looking for a non-bowl-bound 2007 team that wins a BCS bowl in 2008, then you're not going to find it anywhere. But, if you're looking for a team that's not expected to be anything on the national scene that turns out to be one of the best in the country, here's a good pick.

RichRod's offense is a dynamic one, but he's not going to force either Threet or Sheridan to pretend to be Pat White. Instead, he'll use them for their best skills, which is of course passing. My pick is for Threet to start at QB and chuck the ball everywhere, and of course hand or pitch off to RBs and WRs and keep speed all around the field at all times. And it's not like he's immobile or anything. He played a version of the spread option in his high school senior year and was I think a four star prospect when he went to Georgia Tech. From what I've heard from a couple of Michigan insiders, the QBs are really emerging as leaders and playmakers. The RBs are just fine apparently, and the WRs are young but very fast and talented. The O Line is young, fit, and strong. The defense is stacked top to bottom.

Now there's the problem of youth. Sure, there's really no experience on offense, but if you were a new head coach installing a radically different offense from what had been there, what would you rather inherit, a team with seniors everywhere who have played three years in the old schemes, or a bunch of talented young players who can pick up a new offense easier? In my opinion, Rodriguez couldn't have walked into a better situation at Michigan.

There's the offensive line to worry about. O lines are best when they return at least three starters. Michigan returns I think just one. I'm not worried about them, though. Two thoughts: one, read the above paragraph. That applies to O lineman just as much as the QB because the spread option blocking scheme is entirely different from the pro style blocking scheme, so starting from scratch may be good. The other thought: Justin Boren. He was the lineman that transferred to Ohio State. Again, coming from Michigan insiders, the guy was out of shape, wasn't working hard, and was relying on the principle of "My daddy was a star at Michigan so I should be one too". So Ohio State is inheriting a talented but apparently lazy offensive lineman that's not willing to work hard and learn something new.

As for another change there, I see a drastic improvement in attitude. Michigan never had that "killer instinct" under Lloyd Carr. They would be ahead in the game, but they would never put the nail in the coffin. In 2005, they lost to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Nebraska because they stepped off the gas pedal late in the game when they were ahead on offense. (Or bad reffing in one case.) They'd do little one yard runs, not get a first down, punt the ball back to the other team, and we all know what happens then. Rodriguez is going to bring a change in attitude that will get them to dominate, not just get by, an opponent. Sure, it's classy to not run up the score, but Lloyd Carr was just not winning games because they didn't ever put the game away.

So my prediction for Michigan ... it may be bad early on. They will lose to Utah and/or Notre Dame because the offense will have miscues. With time, that will go away. I expect, at season's end, for Michigan to be the best team in the Big 10. They probably will not win the championship due to earlier losses, but they will be the overall best team. They might lose to Penn State on the road, but they beat Michigan State, and either or both Wisconsin and Illinois at home. Then comes their favorite team down in Columbus ... the team that gets severe headaches every time they play a wide open spread offense with fast players everywhere. I know its a bold prediction, but I'll say right now that Michigan will play a hell of a game against Ohio St. They will definitely keep it close, and I really want to lean towards saying the new Rich Rodriguez era will be ushered in with a massive upset. I know that sounds illogical, but I really see the pieces in place for Michigan to do the unthinkable and beat Ohio St in Columbus this year and return the favor from Tressel's first year in 2001.

Sorry for the long post, but there's a lot of thoughts and I hope good content here. Any thoughts on this prediction? Any other teams to play the Kansas role?

I think you are on drugs. Michigan doesn't have the players to run a wide open spread offense with fast players as you put it. They can run shot gun formations with 4 receivers but big deal. A lot of teams play a spread offense against OSU, but the only games you hear about are Florida and LSU. Forget that Northwestern, Akron, NIU, Texas, Washington, Indiana, Notre Dame, Minnesota have all run spread formations the majority of the time against OSU the last couple of years with about the same talent level as michigan will have this year. I don't think OSU had any problems beating those teams by 30 +.

They don't have the players. It will not even be close. Rich Rod needs another year or two to get what he needs.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

I think you are on drugs. Michigan doesn't have the players to run a wide open spread offense with fast players as you put it. They can run shot gun formations with 4 receivers but big deal. A lot of teams play a spread offense against OSU, but the only games you hear about are Florida and LSU. Forget that Northwestern, Akron, NIU, Texas, Washington, Indiana, Notre Dame, Minnesota have all run spread formations the majority of the time against OSU the last couple of years with about the same talent level as michigan will have this year. I don't think OSU had any problems beating those teams by 30 +.

They don't have the players. It will not even be close. Rich Rod needs another year or two to get what he needs.

You forgot Illinois, just saying

[HoustonFalcon]

Tek, I get part of your point. But please don't exagerate. I know you are trying to get people riled up, that is just what you do. But I would like to point out that off all the teams you listed as beating by 30+, Northwestern, Minnesota, Indiana and I think Washington are the only teams OSU was able to beat by that margin. Akron was 18, NIU was 23, UT was 17, and the last year, the Minnesota game was 23. I believe that athletically Michigan will have much better talent than Indiana, Northwestern, and Washington. Let's not forget the fact that they got beat by LSU, Illinois, and Florida. You are right, if I'm OSU, I probably don't worry as much about Michigan as I do USC. But you never know what is going to happen when UM/OSU play. All I ask is that you don't exagerate quite so much next time. Thank You.

[VDub26Falcon]

I think you are on drugs. Michigan doesn't have the players to run a wide open spread offense with fast players as you put it. They can run shot gun formations with 4 receivers but big deal. A lot of teams play a spread offense against OSU, but the only games you hear about are Florida and LSU. Forget that Northwestern, Akron, NIU, Texas, Washington, Indiana, Notre Dame, Minnesota have all run spread formations the majority of the time against OSU the last couple of years with about the same talent level as michigan will have this year. I don't think OSU had any problems beating those teams by 30 +.

They don't have the players. It will not even be close. Rich Rod needs another year or two to get what he needs.

You forgot Illinois, just saying

He didn't forget Illinois...they were excluded intentionally because it falsifies his claim of "Only the SEC beats OSU with the spread offense."

[bgsukid]

... Michigan.

Huh? Why Michigan? Do they even fit the bill? Well, if you are looking for a non-bowl-bound 2007 team that wins a BCS bowl in 2008, then you're not going to find it anywhere. But, if you're looking for a team that's not expected to be anything on the national scene that turns out to be one of the best in the country, here's a good pick.

RichRod's offense is a dynamic one, but he's not going to force either Threet or Sheridan to pretend to be Pat White. Instead, he'll use them for their best skills, which is of course passing. My pick is for Threet to start at QB and chuck the ball everywhere, and of course hand or pitch off to RBs and WRs and keep speed all around the field at all times. And it's not like he's immobile or anything. He played a version of the spread option in his high school senior year and was I think a four star prospect when he went to Georgia Tech. From what I've heard from a couple of Michigan insiders, the QBs are really emerging as leaders and playmakers. The RBs are just fine apparently, and the WRs are young but very fast and talented. The O Line is young, fit, and strong. The defense is stacked top to bottom.

Now there's the problem of youth. Sure, there's really no experience on offense, but if you were a new head coach installing a radically different offense from what had been there, what would you rather inherit, a team with seniors everywhere who have played three years in the old schemes, or a bunch of talented young players who can pick up a new offense easier? In my opinion, Rodriguez couldn't have walked into a better situation at Michigan.

There's the offensive line to worry about. O lines are best when they return at least three starters. Michigan returns I think just one. I'm not worried about them, though. Two thoughts: one, read the above paragraph. That applies to O lineman just as much as the QB because the spread option blocking scheme is entirely different from the pro style blocking scheme, so starting from scratch may be good. The other thought: Justin Boren. He was the lineman that transferred to Ohio State. Again, coming from Michigan insiders, the guy was out of shape, wasn't working hard, and was relying on the principle of "My daddy was a star at Michigan so I should be one too". So Ohio State is inheriting a talented but apparently lazy offensive lineman that's not willing to work hard and learn something new.

As for another change there, I see a drastic improvement in attitude. Michigan never had that "killer instinct" under Lloyd Carr. They would be ahead in the game, but they would never put the nail in the coffin. In 2005, they lost to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Nebraska because they stepped off the gas pedal late in the game when they were ahead on offense. (Or bad reffing in one case.) They'd do little one yard runs, not get a first down, punt the ball back to the other team, and we all know what happens then. Rodriguez is going to bring a change in attitude that will get them to dominate, not just get by, an opponent. Sure, it's classy to not run up the score, but Lloyd Carr was just not winning games because they didn't ever put the game away.

So my prediction for Michigan ... it may be bad early on. They will lose to Utah and/or Notre Dame because the offense will have miscues. With time, that will go away. I expect, at season's end, for Michigan to be the best team in the Big 10. They probably will not win the championship due to earlier losses, but they will be the overall best team. They might lose to Penn State on the road, but they beat Michigan State, and either or both Wisconsin and Illinois at home. Then comes their favorite team down in Columbus ... the team that gets severe headaches every time they play a wide open spread offense with fast players everywhere. I know its a bold prediction, but I'll say right now that Michigan will play a hell of a game against Ohio St. They will definitely keep it close, and I really want to lean towards saying the new Rich Rodriguez era will be ushered in with a massive upset. I know that sounds illogical, but I really see the pieces in place for Michigan to do the unthinkable and beat Ohio St in Columbus this year and return the favor from Tressel's first year in 2001.

Sorry for the long post, but there's a lot of thoughts and I hope good content here. Any thoughts on this prediction? Any other teams to play the Kansas role?

It's going to be tough when the only starter you have back on offense is a guard.

[tekekini]

I think you are on drugs. Michigan doesn't have the players to run a wide open spread offense with fast players as you put it. They can run shot gun formations with 4 receivers but big deal. A lot of teams play a spread offense against OSU, but the only games you hear about are Florida and LSU. Forget that Northwestern, Akron, NIU, Texas, Washington, Indiana, Notre Dame, Minnesota have all run spread formations the majority of the time against OSU the last couple of years with about the same talent level as michigan will have this year. I don't think OSU had any problems beating those teams by 30 +.

They don't have the players. It will not even be close. Rich Rod needs another year or two to get what he needs.

You forgot Illinois, just saying

You are right. Illinois ran a spread offense in '06 and OSU beat them too @ Illinois. I was there. It was cold and I froze my ass off. But it was worth it!

Last year is questionable. Illinois had a phantom TD. Yes, they shouldn't have let the guy run down the field 80 yards BUT he also shouldn't have fumbled either and the ref shouldn't have gotten the call wrong. It is all part of the game. If you are dumb enough to fumble you don't deserve the TD. But s**t happens.

[tekekini]

I think you are on drugs. Michigan doesn't have the players to run a wide open spread offense with fast players as you put it. They can run shot gun formations with 4 receivers but big deal. A lot of teams play a spread offense against OSU, but the only games you hear about are Florida and LSU. Forget that Northwestern, Akron, NIU, Texas, Washington, Indiana, Notre Dame, Minnesota have all run spread formations the majority of the time against OSU the last couple of years with about the same talent level as michigan will have this year. I don't think OSU had any problems beating those teams by 30 +.

They don't have the players. It will not even be close. Rich Rod needs another year or two to get what he needs.

You forgot Illinois, just saying

He didn't forget Illinois...they were excluded intentionally because it falsifies his claim of "Only the SEC beats OSU with the spread offense."

I didn't forget them intentionally, read my post above

[MarkL]

... Michigan.

Now there's the problem of youth. Sure, there's really no experience on offense, but if you were a new head coach installing a radically different offense from what had been there, what would you rather inherit, a team with seniors everywhere who have played three years in the old schemes, or a bunch of talented young players who can pick up a new offense easier? In my opinion, Rodriguez couldn't have walked into a better situation at Michigan.

There's the offensive line to worry about. O lines are best when they return at least three starters. Michigan returns I think just one. I'm not worried about them, though. Two thoughts: one, read the above paragraph. That applies to O lineman just as much as the QB because the spread option blocking scheme is entirely different from the pro style blocking scheme, so starting from scratch may be good. The other thought: Justin Boren. He was the lineman that transferred to Ohio State. Again, coming from Michigan insiders, the guy was out of shape, wasn't working hard, and was relying on the principle of "My daddy was a star at Michigan so I should be one too". So Ohio State is inheriting a talented but apparently lazy offensive lineman that's not willing to work hard and learn something new.

It's going to be tough when the only starter you have back on offense is a guard.

Uh, that was kinda my point. I shortened the quote in my post to get the two complete paragraphs that talked about that ... yeah I know the whole post was long. Having a clean slate to build around is pretty much perfect I think so you don't have too much adjusting from the old and completely opposite offense. By the time the season is halfway through, I bet that offense will be running up and down the field. Not early on, though ...

[tekekini]

... Michigan.

Now there's the problem of youth. Sure, there's really no experience on offense, but if you were a new head coach installing a radically different offense from what had been there, what would you rather inherit, a team with seniors everywhere who have played three years in the old schemes, or a bunch of talented young players who can pick up a new offense easier? In my opinion, Rodriguez couldn't have walked into a better situation at Michigan.

There's the offensive line to worry about. O lines are best when they return at least three starters. Michigan returns I think just one. I'm not worried about them, though. Two thoughts: one, read the above paragraph. That applies to O lineman just as much as the QB because the spread option blocking scheme is entirely different from the pro style blocking scheme, so starting from scratch may be good. The other thought: Justin Boren. He was the lineman that transferred to Ohio State. Again, coming from Michigan insiders, the guy was out of shape, wasn't working hard, and was relying on the principle of "My daddy was a star at Michigan so I should be one too". So Ohio State is inheriting a talented but apparently lazy offensive lineman that's not willing to work hard and learn something new.

It's going to be tough when the only starter you have back on offense is a guard.

Uh, that was kinda my point. I shortened the quote in my post to get the two complete paragraphs that talked about that ... yeah I know the whole post was long. Having a clean slate to build around is pretty much perfect I think so you don't have too much adjusting from the old and completely opposite offense. By the time the season is halfway through, I bet that offense will be running up and down the field. Not early on, though ...

early on or for the entire year. At least against teams that are worth a damn.

[bgsukid]

... Michigan.

Now there's the problem of youth. Sure, there's really no experience on offense, but if you were a new head coach installing a radically different offense from what had been there, what would you rather inherit, a team with seniors everywhere who have played three years in the old schemes, or a bunch of talented young players who can pick up a new offense easier? In my opinion, Rodriguez couldn't have walked into a better situation at Michigan.

There's the offensive line to worry about. O lines are best when they return at least three starters. Michigan returns I think just one. I'm not worried about them, though. Two thoughts: one, read the above paragraph. That applies to O lineman just as much as the QB because the spread option blocking scheme is entirely different from the pro style blocking scheme, so starting from scratch may be good. The other thought: Justin Boren. He was the lineman that transferred to Ohio State. Again, coming from Michigan insiders, the guy was out of shape, wasn't working hard, and was relying on the principle of "My daddy was a star at Michigan so I should be one too". So Ohio State is inheriting a talented but apparently lazy offensive lineman that's not willing to work hard and learn something new.

It's going to be tough when the only starter you have back on offense is a guard.

Uh, that was kinda my point. I shortened the quote in my post to get the two complete paragraphs that talked about that ... yeah I know the whole post was long. Having a clean slate to build around is pretty much perfect I think so you don't have too much adjusting from the old and completely opposite offense. By the time the season is halfway through, I bet that offense will be running up and down the field. Not early on, though ...

I'm sure you're right, no college experience is a good thing. These freshman and sophomores along with their former walk-on quarterback will be rolling up 30 ppg on people.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

Michigan is going to struggle this year. Probably next year, too.

7-5.

[Falcons4Life]

There can be no "This year's Kansas...." That doesn't happen every year!

Go 'Hawks

[bgsukid]

There can be no "This year's Kansas...." That doesn't happen every year!

Go 'Hawks

Exactly, rarely does a team make a vast improvement and get the benefit of not having to play Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech in the same season. The stars were aligned for Kansas last year. You never know though, Michigan's looking like a pretty solid contender this year.