What
does mid-summer bring? It brings us
Fireworks and the MMQ Pre-Season Spectacular!!!!
54 Days till Michigan and Florida tee it up!!!
And what will I be predicting this season that’s different
from every other one that I’ve ever predicted where Michigan wins the National
Championship?
Errrr...Not
much, I guess!
I do think a lot of the prognosticators have it wrong this
season and Michigan may actually be as good if not a little better than last
season. Not to mention that Michigan has
an ideal home schedule with two tricky games on the road at Happy Valley and up
in Madison. Yes, I guess you can say
in Dallas against Florida will be no cake walk, either – but that’s a
“Losable” game that shouldn’t hurt either team’s CFP chances that much, even
though I don’t think Michigan will lose that one. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself. We’ll breakdown the games and the entire
season in a minute….
First, let’s analyze what’s happening on Defense.
Defense
Every show you listen to that starts a discussion about
Michigan Football always starts with, “They lost so much talent, I just don’t see
how they can be as good…” I’d like
to think of it this way: There’s
Michigan Men that backed up all that talent that left for the NFL and they want
a chance to prove that they actually learned something and are ready to
play. And all that talk about those guys
getting ready not being “as good” as the guys they are replacing is
motivational. And if I know caoch
Harbaugh and Brown, they’re using that motivation in very clever ways.
So let’s focus on who’s coming back and what we should be
excited about. Gary and Hurst are going to be a
1-2 combination that is going to result in one of them having a GREAT
Season because you can’t double team both of them.
Mone
and Winovich will probably round out the other starters on
the D-Line, but Ron Johnson and Aubrey Solomon may have things to say regarding
playing time. Corey Malone Hatcher
retired from football due to health reasons and won’t be a frosh
sensation. All that being said, the
Defensive line is refreshingly full and will be the “first line of defense” for
any team that thinks they’re going to run the ball.
Moving to the LB position has me a little more
concerned. Peppers and Gedeon are going
to be difficult players to replace, but McCray is a long time player and is
returning along side Devin bush and Khaleke Hudson, who will probably
get the nod to fill Peppers position in the Brown Defense. While I’m nervous, I think the line will
allow this unit to develop a little and gel more quickly as they see guys
making plays in front of them.
Michigan has enjoyed more than its fair share of defensive
backfield stars lately. Lewis, Stribling
and Clark are all going to be hard to replace, but Michigan has talent coming
back. David Long, Lavert Hill, Keith
Washington and incoming Frosh Ambry Thomas will all contribute. Not saying I know who’s going to start, but I
expect those 4 names will be called a lot.
Safety is another hole with some talent (Glasgow)
returning. Again, with Brown’s tutelage,
I’m not too concerned here.
Overall
Defensive Take: I look
at it this way – before Brown showed up the Defense was good. Last year’s defense led EVERY STATISTICAL CATEGORY going
into the Iowa game. That’s a
pretty tough accomplishment and it tells me that Coach Brown knows what he’s
doing. He’ll build around what he has
and get them to execute.
In short…Not too many worries.
Offense
I absolutely love the fact that Harbaugh brings a Senior QB
back that’s ready to establish himself amongst the “elite” of CF QB’s. Speight is as close to an Andrew Luck
Prototype as you’re ever gonna get.
I have a feeling that Michigan airs it out a BUNCH this season and
Harbaugh let’s the dogs out a lot. Why? Why Not. More on those reasons in a minute.
At running back, Chris Evans is back as a sophomore
and will more than likely carry the ball the entire game with the exception of
garbage minutes.
At full back, Khalid Hill, the Hammering Panda will be
back knocking pretty much everyone on their butts. No worries here with Poggi as a back-up…
Wide Receiver is going to be fun as new names will be out
on the receiving end of those Speight passes.
Crawford, Peoples-Jones and McDOOM are names we should become
accustomed to.
Michigan just lost one of the best tight ends it ever had
in Jake Butt, but Wheatley and Bunting should be able to gap some of that talent
loss.
The offensive line comes back with a lot of returners (yet
another reason why I think Michigan will be looking to score early and often)
in Cole,
Bredeson, Kugler, Onwenu, and Runyan as your starters. A solid group that has played together for
awhile….
Offensive Summary: If the College QB is the most important
cog in the offensive machine, Michigan has that in a senior with one of the best
QB Head Coaches in the business.
I also think Michigan has a tail-back in Evans that can finally
take Michigan back to the days of handing the ball to someone that can create
yards on his own. Finally, a solid line
anchors this entire unit and I get a warm tingly feeling when I think about how
this season could play out.
In short: Extremely,
perhaps overly confident.
Special
Teams
Every year I just want two things: Kick the damn ball straight and catch the damn
ball. That’s it. Kenny Allen did that nicely as punter and
kicker and I’m sure there will come a point in time this season that we’re
gonna miss him. Snapping the ball to
said kickers or holders is pretty important too. Harbaugh gets the gap that special teams can
create and will have decent units looking to make things happen.
Expect receiving duties to be split between McDoom
and Hudson for now….
Coaching
I’ve done my fair share of Harbaugh praising but I think it’s
time for a little pre-season bashing and introspective. IF Jimmy has gone back and looked at
last season, in particular Iowa and the suckeyes games, he should have stumbled
across the fact that one more 1st down in the 4th quarter
of either of those games would have won the game!
So what am I saying? 1st downs late are important? Yes, but what if Michigan was just up a
couple of extra scores? I got the sense
last season that Michigan was relying on its defense to make stops. The coaching staff knew the defense was that
good when it needed to be and the staff got the defensive reads right. I’m not sure the Coaching staff has that
luxury this season. I think they know
that and they will be looking to capitalize offensively way more a lot
earlier. Just a hunch…...
In short: Jimmy,
it’s your 3rd season back.
The great ones find a way to win the whole enchilada in their 3rd
season. I’m not saying you have to, but
I think a B1G Championship with a CFP Appearance is a must.
The
Season
As always, I’ll walk through this season game by game to
see how Michigan ends up. While I expect
that 10 wins is the floor for this team, I think 11 regular season wins is very
doable. Meaning Michigan finally
achieves one goal of making the Championship game in Indy. So here goes:
Michigan, their opponent with date and time of game:
Florida
(GATORLAND) Sep2. 2, 2:30 CST: This game will be a great barometer for both
teams. However, if Florida announces
that Malik Zaire is the starter for this game, I expect the line to jump a
couple of points in Michigan’s favor.
I’m not saying Zaire isn’t that good, but if you get benched in Brian
Kelly’s offense, well, you’re not great.
A real test on the road in Jerry World for both teams. I like Michigan in a close one, or Michigan
and the Offense could win this thing walking away because “Florida lost
so much on defense to the NFL…”
Michigan
31-Gator-Bites 24
Cincinnati
Bearcats Sept. 9, NOON EDT: Not
the same powerhouse they once were in the Kelly days, former suckeye head coach
Luke Fickell has this team playing well. But the Big House and a fired up opening day
crowd should be too much for the Bearcats and Michigan wins running away. .
Michigan
42 – Cub Kittens 17
Air
Force Sept 16, NOON: I
believe I say this every time it happens, but why schedule Air Force? This game is a tricky game as it is a bit of a
tweener and Air Force has a gimmicky offense that could give the defense
fits. I don’t care how many kids you put
on the field during practice week, there’s nothing that gets you ready for how
this offence comes at you. Never the less,
Michigan should win this
Michigan
28 – Wild Blue Yonder 13
@
Purdon’t Sept. 23, 3:30 PM EDT: Michigan leaves the state early this season
with a B1G cross over game in West Lafayette.
The Boilers will have a new coach on display this time around. With the nutty scheduling and the lack of a
round robin in the B1G, this game almost doesn’t even feel like a conference
game. I had to look up the last time
Michigan and Purdue played. It was 2012
and Michigan won and is currently on a 3 game winning streak. Brohm will get a taste of what B1G football
is all about. I’d love to make this a road
game and visit the “Purdue Patio” in the end zone, complete with
boilermakers and other cocktails…What do you mean Season Ticket holders and
students over 21 ONLY???
Michigan
35 – boilerdonters 10
Sparty
Oct 7, Game Time TBD: A “Throwback” game of sorts and Sparty is back
on the schedule in early October!
With all of the off-field shenanigans, Sparty is threatening to go 3-9
again this season and will more than likely already have a loss or two on its
record by this point. Sparty is kind of
falling apart as a program and I’m not totally sure that MD has it in him to
right the ship one more time. This
may be a night game in the Big House and that could make it even worse
for Sparty.
Michigan
35 – no revenge Sparty 7
At Indiana
Oct 14, NOON: Another
new Head Coach on the roster this season and it’ll be tough for IU to be the
same team CHAOS that they’ve been over the years. I see rebuilding coming for IU Football. A lot of Re-Building.
Michigan
38 – Hoosier Daddy 0
@ Penn
State Oct. 21, Game Time TBD (Oh who are
they kidding, of COURSE it’s going to be a Night Game WHITE OUT!!): Did you hear the latest? Rumors and some of the PSU Bloggers are talking about
the Leftist Agenda attacking the PSU “White Out” games and how they’re “Racist”! Gotta love the liberal left, doncha’? One more stupid, idiotic thing to bring
politics and whatever into. White Outs
are a PSU tradition that I actually like and appreciate as the PSU fans
completely buy into it. I do think
Michigan should lose the White Road Uni’s and bring out the Blue pants and
Yellow Jerseys for this game, however.
Revenge will be on the mind of every Lion fan out there after last
year’s 50-point humiliation in Ann Arbor.
It won’ be enough, mind you, but they will definitely have their game
faces on in Happy Valley.
Michigan
24 – Nittany Kitties 20
Rutgers
Oct. 28th, NOON: I
will be a little surprised if Michigan comes into this game less than
perfect. No, really. I know that doesn’t surprise some of you, but
there’s only been two “tests” on the schedule up to this point in Florida and
PSU. And Michigan should beat them. Why am I not saying anything about
Rutgers? It’s homecoming and Michigan
hung 80 points on the exact same team that’s coming to the Big House this year.
This game should not be on the schedule.
Michigan
69 – knights in scarlet satin 0
Minnesota
Nov 4, Game Time TBD: Here
he comes rowing his dinghy all the way from the Twin Cities! PJ Fleck and the Gophers find their
way to Ann Arbor in an attempt to re-claim The Jug. It’ll be fun, but I have a feeling that PJ’s
magic, while it’ll work in some games in the B1G this season, won’t find a way
to win the oldest trophy in all of college football. That will have to wait until a different
season. If ever.
Michigan
27 – Fleck’s Golden Rowers 13
@
Maryland Nov 18, Game Time TBD: This
game always irks me for some reason. I
wish DJ
Derkin would get a little better and someone would hire him away from Maryland
and out of conference. I have
this sick feeling that at some point, Maryland is going to find a way to beat
the Wolverines. They’re bringing back
some talent and you can bet that DJ regularly talks to Harbaugh. And why are we always playing them so late in
the season?
Michigan
28 – Turtles 14
@
Wiscy Nov 18, Game Time TBD: Madison in November! In another crossover home and home that
started last season, Michigan has to travel into Cheesehead land. Last season was a tight game and I expect
nothing different in Madison with the exception of the outcome. And since Michigan has to play up there, I
expect revenge. And a blemish on the
record….
Michigan
14 – Cheesy Heads 21
The
Suckeyes: So Michigan
essentially lost last season due to the poor refereeing. I mean, we can all agree on that, right? AMIRITE???!!! Anyway, enough about what could have been
last year and wake up to the fact that you have to start beating Brutus again
if you want to go anywhere significant or do anything that means anything in
the post season. I really don’t see
Michigan and Harbaugh losing 3 in a row, even if the suckeyes are bringing
everyone back and will more than likely be undefeated coming into the Big House. Who cares?
Michigan almost beat them last season and the suckeyes were pounded by
Clemson 34-0.
Michigan
24 – We may never win in Ann Arbor again 20
With 1 blemish on the schedule to a Western division team,
Michigan will earn the right to play in Indy.
The question becomes: Who are
they gonna play? Iowa and Nebraska will both be in the hunt but there’s another
perennial B1G West Team I like. If
you’ve been following along, you know that I think Wiscy is going to have a
pretty good team and I expect a re-match between the Cheeseheads and
Michigan. Michigan prevails and
it’s on to the CFP!!.
So
Mr. MMQ, you think you’re pretty good at this prognostication stuff?
Well, yes. I think I
see things a little more clearly and objectively than some other people
do.
Who
else will be in the CFP?
Well, let’s take a look at
The
Rest of the Mess!!
I have a feeling the CFP is in for a shake-up this season! And I don’t mean as to who’s in or who’s
out. I just think it’s going to provide
more drama in the two opening games over what we’ve had the last couple of
seasons. Two of the teams last season
(Washington and OSU) were only in because of record and weren’t the best teams
playing from the Pac and the B1G. Their
stats didn’t necessarily support their inclusion. Michigan and USC were statistically in to
top 3 of the nation at the end of the season. If the CFP is paying attention, there’s
better ways to do this stuff…
Anyway, let’s take a look at
The
MMQ Pre-Season Final Poll Prediction
Remember: This is
how I see the final poll at the end of the regular season. Pre –CFP if you will…..
1. Alabama
– Satan again has a coooshy schedule and doesn’t even leave Alabama (for a
real game) till mid-October. They play
at Vandy in September…Still looks like Bama will be sitting at 1 or close to 1
going into the CFP.
2. FSU – Jimbo Fisher had the
injury bug hit him mid-season last year.
Can’t predict stuff like that, but it happens. Assuming they stay healthy, the ACC is a
little less daunting now than it was last season with Clemson beating
everyone. No reason Fisher can’t run the
table especially with Louisville home.
3. USC – Clay Helton is getting some
things figured out and whenever I hear him interviewed, you know he’s a
football coach. The Trojans also have a
very favorable schedule with the only difficult (Ha-ha) game on the schedule in
South Bend against the depleted Domers. I’ll jump on this bandwagon early and take the
Rubbers in the CFP.
4. Michigan – Yep, I’m putting
them here. 12-1 (if 13-0, switch with USC)
is a good enough record in the B1G to get you in.
5. The Suckeyes –
They will only have lost to Michigan, but that loss will hurt and Urban
is looking at a meaningless bowl…
6. Okie State – Gundy
is pissed after last season and I think he’s bringing back a lot of
starters from last season’s squad.
Expect big things from the Hokies, but the Big iiX is again on the
outside looking into the CFP. They’ll
also have a conference blemish that will keep them from qualifying…
7. LSU – Coach Ogeron could be the fly in
this year’s SEC Ointment assuming he can get past Satan. Only problem is that game is in Tuscaloosa.
8. Penn State: Franklin can’t quite get it done this season,
but look out next year! Of course, they
could also repeat as B1G Champs….So a flip-flop with Michigan is entirely
possible.
9. Laters –Just isn’t going to
be the same without Stoops on the sidelines. But Lincoln’s Laters can’t get by some
of the other first year head coaches in the Big iiX.
10. Clemson – Dabo has to be in the top 10 just
because they won a National Championship last year.
So
that’s that. Meaning that the CFP would
look like
Alabama vs. Michigan
And
FSU vs. USC
And this is the part where I predict that Jimmy
and Satan try to meet at midfield for a pre-game handshake and they come to
blows as one accuses the other of recruitin’ his territory and the
other yells nobodies got it better than us!!!
I’ll also take USC over FSU. And then, finally, could it really happen?
It’s
Great TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE!!!!
And just as a double check, here’s the latest odds of teams
winning a National Title as of 7-10-17:
The Hot Seat
I normally don’t do a Hot Seat Mascot in the Pre-Season
Spectacular but I couldn’t help but notice some nice pics of a throwback
nominee to… I’m not even sure what season (2009 perhaps?) and I wanted to give 37
year old Jessica Simpson a nod and the Pre-Season Hot Seat all to herself!!!
All I ever really seem to know when going into a football
season is that someone, we don’t know who, is going to win a National
Title. And we also know that some
coaches are going to get canned! I liked
what I did last season with the Electric Chair of Death and I think I will
continue to use that. With respect to
where everyone ranks? Let’s go!
“Electric
Chair of Death!!!”
1. Sumlin – Texas A&M. Kevin has one of the worst November
records ever at Teas A&M. It’s
bad. Kevin’s seat is toasty all the time
as a result, even when he’s winning. I
believe the only thing keeping Sumlin employed is the life left on his contract
(thru 2019) and what Texas A&M has to pay if they decide to part ways…
2. Kelly – Domers. Kelly has worn out his
welcome with so many different fans that when you go
over to the blogs it’s not if but when… I see the domers finishing anywhere
from 5-7 to 8-4. According to the poll
conducted over at NDNation, all of those records get Kelly canned. Of course, the pollsters are not Jack $warbuck$,
who just handed Kelly an undisclosed raise two seasons ago…
Hot
Seat
3. Freeze – Ole Miss. Someone needs to explain to me
why Hugh is getting so much protection from, well, everyone in the wake of the
latest Ole Miss Scandal? Hugh
had to know that things were fishy when he landed 3 recruits that he had no
business in landing.
Whatever…When he starts losing regularly, he’ll be gone.
4. Malzhan – Auburn. The Teflon Don at Auburn. They fired Tubberville with a better
record. Yet somehow Malzhan hangs
on. I don’t get it nor do I care. But Gus may be on a short rope this
season.
5. Adazzio – Boston College. This one also has me stumped. With the exception that maybe the BC AD
figured there’s nobody better he could get anyway with what he’s paying Adazzio.
6. Leach – Wazzu. The Pirate needs a winning season or OSU
might be looking to trade up. Les Miles
is STILL AVAILABLE!
7. Jones – Tennessee. Volunteer fans have suffered a
long time under Jones and he needs to prove he can win the SEC East. CONVINCINGLY!
And then at least be competitive in the SEC Championship Game.
8. Mora - UCLA. I really don’t think Mora is actually on the
Hot Seat, but he needs to do something this season or he will be.
9. Graham - ASU Graham’s schtick has worn thin in Tempe (as
has Rich Rod’s in Tucson) and he needs a new gig fast. I wouldn’t be surprised to see something
happen to him mid-season if the record is bad enough.
10. Kingsbury –
Texas Tech. I know he played there. But jeez TT really has sucked for the last
couple of seasons. They need a winning
season and a decent Bowl Game.
Coaches I thought about but didn’t make the top 10: Bret
Bielema – Arkansas, Lovie Smith – Illinois, Chris Ash – Rutgers, Rich Rod –
Arizona, Dantonio – Sparty.
Lovie
can probably coach another 3 seasons at Illinois and
be fine. Dantonio gets a 1 year reprieve
from the seat but if he goes 3-9 or 4-8 this season, look out!
The
FMQ Will Return!!!!
