B1G predictions

[dbrocket]

Having now read Rivals' B1G Preview, and after listening to various pdcasts and reflecting, I think the final standings (by W-L record) in the conference will be something like:

1. Michigan - If their transfer QB is even okay, Idk what their weakness is.
2. Wisconsin - If their QB is even okay, they'll roll, but probably less talented than Michigan at WR and TE.
3. Ohio State - Urban Meyer has to replace a lot (no biggie) and does better with a running QB.
4. Iowa - Very manageable schedule, talented roster, I believe in the new LBs, new RBs and in Stanley.
5. Michigan St. - They return a lot, but will get beat up playing Michigan, Ohio St., Penn. St., etc (plus, off field stuff).
6. Penn St. - They lose a lot on defense; they lose Saquon Barkley; their schedule is brutal.
7. Northwestern - They lose Jackson and their QB is an injury question mark.
8. Maryland - They're talented enough to be a spot higher, and no way they get as unlucky with injuries this year, but look who they play.
9. Purdue - They lose a ton on defense and play a tough schedule.
10. Minnesota - I think Fleck will fail.
11. Indiana - They have the talent to be higher, but play in the East. Similar to Purdue talent-wise, but Purdue's coach is better.
12. Nebraska - They're not good (for now), are transitioning to a new offense, and have a hellish schedule.
13. Illinois - They're very bad.
14. Rutgers - They're very bad in the East.

I'm super curious what others' thoughts are on this.

https://n.rivals.com/news/rivals-com-2018-big-ten-preview

 

[ChiDoc]

1. Michigan - If their transfer QB is even okay, Idk what their weakness is.
3. Ohio State - Urban Meyer has to replace a lot (no biggie) and does better with a running QB.

Ohio State has almost as many returning starters as Michigan and a LOT more returning talent on their roster due to Meyer dominating Harbaugh on the recruiting trail. Meyer won 2 of his 3 national titles starting pass first QB's (Chris Leak and Cardale Jones), plus a third undefeated season at Utah (Alex Smith). Not to mention this years game will be played in Columbus and OSU's new starting QB beat Michigan on the road last year, coming in the game cold and trailing as a freshman after JT Barret went out of the game hurt and leading the Buckeyes to 3 scores in 4 drives (4th was a missed FG) against what was a top D in the country at the time. Michigan's OL was terrible last year, they lose two starters and you can't see any weaknesses? The Wolverines have to play Wisconsin in the cross over, while the Buckeyes don't, giving them a much tougher schedule. Plus there is no denying there is a HUGE gap in coaching between the two teams, Meyer is still a ridiculous 47-3 in B1G play after the spanking the Hawks gave him in IC, while Jimmy Hairball's record comes in at a pathetic 18-8.

The Buckeye's new QB's tape looks extremely impressive for a freshman. The throw he makes in the Big House last year (10:27 in this video) on his first drive on third and long after coming in cold while trailing late in the third quarter is off the charts ridiculous:



Wisconsin has a MUCH better chance of beating OSU and winning the conference than Michigan does.

Returning S&P Production:
https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...86/2018-college-football-rankings-projections

 

[dbrocket]

The post isn't what is most likely to happen or what I want to happen (Iowa would be 1). It's what I think will happen. And I think not having the threat of run will be tricky for Ohio St.

Do you remember what happened the year after they won the NC with Jones? That offense struggled with him.

 

[ChiDoc]

Do you remember what happened the year after they won the NC with Jones? That offense struggled with him.

Huh? They were undefeated and averaged 37 points a game that season in the games Cardale Jones started, who finished 10-0 as a starting QB at Ohio State. The only game they lost that year was one Cardale didn't play in and a run first QB, JT Barrett, took every snap.

Meanwhile, Harbaugh's offenses, which was 92nd in the country last year even with one of the best D's in the nation getting them field position and TO's, have frequently looked atrocious.

Harbaugh is now 9-8 over his last 17 games as head coach of the University of Michigan!!!

 

[chiphawk59]

Ohio State has almost as many returning starters as Michigan and a LOT more returning talent on their roster due to Meyer dominating Harbaugh on the recruiting trail. Meyer won 2 of his 3 national titles starting pass first QB's (Chris Leak and Cardale Jones), plus a third undefeated season at Utah (Alex Smith). Not to mention this years game will be played in Columbus and OSU's new starting QB beat Michigan on the road last year, coming in the game cold and trailing as a freshman after JT Barret went out of the game hurt and leading the Buckeyes to 3 scores in 4 drives (4th was a missed FG) against what was a top D in the country at the time. Michigan's OL was terrible last year, they lose two starters and you can't see any weaknesses? The Wolverines have to play Wisconsin in the cross over, while the Buckeyes don't, giving them a much tougher schedule. Plus there is no denying there is a HUGE gap in coaching between the two teams, Meyer is still a ridiculous 47-3 in B1G play after the spanking the Hawks gave him in IC, while Jimmy Hairball's record comes in at a pathetic 18-8.

The Buckeye's new QB's tape looks extremely impressive for a freshman. The throw he makes in the Big House last year (10:27 in this video) on his first drive on third and long after coming in cold while trailing late in the third quarter is off the charts ridiculous:

View embedded media

Wisconsin has a MUCH better chance of beating OSU and winning the conference than Michigan does.

Returning S&P Production:
https://www.sbnation.com/college-fo...86/2018-college-football-rankings-projections

Not that impressed with Haskins the completion at the 10:27 mark was a pass that probably shouldn't have been thrown into double coverage and the other completions were relatively easy underneath routes

 

[ChiDoc]

Not that impressed with Haskins the completion at the 10:27 mark was a pass that probably shouldn't have been thrown into double coverage and the other completions were relatively easy underneath routes

Then you should probably just leave the QB evaluations to the adults. He put it exactly where he had to BETWEEN the double coverage, 27 yards on a dime, in a play that had to be made at a crucial point late in the game. This was coming into the game cold as a freshman who hadn't been taking first team reps all season, trailing in one of the most hostile environments and biggest rivalries in all of sports. He was 6-7 for 98 yards and a TD in those circumstances, and moved the ball into scoring position on every single drive against a top 5 defense.

Shouldn't have been thrown?!?!? LMFAO!

 

[dbrocket]

Ohhh, I get it now. ChiDoc is an a**hole. Got it. Ignored.

 

[Suterman]

1) OSU
2) Wisconsin
3) PSU
4) MSU
5) Iowa
6) Michigan
7) Northwestern
8) Purdue
9) Nebraska
10) Indiana
11) Minnesota
12) Maryland
13) Rutgers
14) Illinois

 

[Buck2427]

Huh? They were undefeated and averaged 37 points a game that season in the games Cardale Jones started, who finished 10-0 as a starting QB at Ohio State. The only game they lost that year was one Cardale didn't play in and a run first QB, JT Barrett, took every snap.

Meanwhile, Harbaugh's offenses, which was 92nd in the country last year even with one of the best D's in the nation getting them field position and TO's, have frequently looked atrocious.

Harbaugh is now 9-8 over his last 17 games as head coach of the University of Michigan!!!

ChiDoc,
The offense did struggle that year with Cardale at the helm, only because he had JT looking over his shoulder and Meyer totally messed that QB situation up in 2015. JT finally took over in the second quarter of the Penn State game that year and never looked back, until we forgot how to run the ball against Mich State and lost by a field goal.

 

[chiphawk59]

And Haskins couldn't beat out JT Barret. How did he do against the Hawks? 4 int's .UM must of had a lot of faith in Haskins

 

[dbrocket]

ChiDoc,
The offense did struggle that year with Cardale at the helm, only because he had JT looking over his shoulder and Meyer totally messed that QB situation up in 2015. JT finally took over in the second quarter of the Penn State game that year and never looked back, until we forgot how to run the ball against Mich State and lost by a field goal.

Right. Urban is an all-time great coach, Ohio St. is crazy talented and I'm glad we don't play them again this year, but it's no secret spread option teams rely on the QB to be able to run. If defenses don't have to respect the QB run in the option, it's a lot easier to gap up and stop the running back. And it's easier against any offense to cover receivers and rush the passer when you don't have to worry about getting housed if you break contain on the QB.

Ohio State will still be very good, but losing that dimension to the offense makes this a different team and the 4 teams at the top of the East are all really, really tough.

 

[reedsposer22]

Having now read Rivals' B1G Preview, and after listening to various pdcasts and reflecting, I think the final standings (by W-L record) in the conference will be something like:

1. Michigan - If their transfer QB is even okay, Idk what their weakness is.
2. Wisconsin - If their QB is even okay, they'll roll, but probably less talented than Michigan at WR and TE.
3. Ohio State - Urban Meyer has to replace a lot (no biggie) and does better with a running QB.
4. Iowa - Very manageable schedule, talented roster, I believe in the new LBs, new RBs and in Stanley.
5. Michigan St. - They return a lot, but will get beat up playing Michigan, Ohio St., Penn. St., etc (plus, off field stuff).
6. Penn St. - They lose a lot on defense; they lose Saquon Barkley; their schedule is brutal.
7. Northwestern - They lose Jackson and their QB is an injury question mark.
8. Maryland - They're talented enough to be a spot higher, and no way they get as unlucky with injuries this year, but look who they play.
9. Purdue - They lose a ton on defense and play a tough schedule.
10. Minnesota - I think Fleck will fail.
11. Indiana - They have the talent to be higher, but play in the East. Similar to Purdue talent-wise, but Purdue's coach is better.
12. Nebraska - They're not good (for now), are transitioning to a new offense, and have a hellish schedule.
13. Illinois - They're very bad.
14. Rutgers - They're very bad in the East.

I'm super curious what others' thoughts are on this.

https://n.rivals.com/news/rivals-com-2018-big-ten-preview

9-3

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Having now read Rivals' B1G Preview, and after listening to various pdcasts and reflecting, I think the final standings (by W-L record) in the conference will be something like:

1. Michigan - If their transfer QB is even okay, Idk what their weakness is.
2. Wisconsin - If their QB is even okay, they'll roll, but probably less talented than Michigan at WR and TE.
3. Ohio State - Urban Meyer has to replace a lot (no biggie) and does better with a running QB.
4. Iowa - Very manageable schedule, talented roster, I believe in the new LBs, new RBs and in Stanley.
5. Michigan St. - They return a lot, but will get beat up playing Michigan, Ohio St., Penn. St., etc (plus, off field stuff).
6. Penn St. - They lose a lot on defense; they lose Saquon Barkley; their schedule is brutal.
7. Northwestern - They lose Jackson and their QB is an injury question mark.
8. Maryland - They're talented enough to be a spot higher, and no way they get as unlucky with injuries this year, but look who they play.
9. Purdue - They lose a ton on defense and play a tough schedule.
10. Minnesota - I think Fleck will fail.
11. Indiana - They have the talent to be higher, but play in the East. Similar to Purdue talent-wise, but Purdue's coach is better.
12. Nebraska - They're not good (for now), are transitioning to a new offense, and have a hellish schedule.
13. Illinois - They're very bad.
14. Rutgers - They're very bad in the East.

I'm super curious what others' thoughts are on this.

https://n.rivals.com/news/rivals-com-2018-big-ten-preview

1 their coach, for starters
2 probably less talent there, but what about rb and oline?
3 they'll reload as always
4 i'm much less sold on our lb and cbs.....i'll have to wait til I see them play a couple game
5 F MSU
6. I believe the kid behind barkely was the top RB in his class, so who knows if he is really much of a downgrade
7 We'll see what happens with thorson
8 we'll see if their coach is worth keeping
9 Like MC, we'll see what their coach is made of
10 YES
11 Meh
12 hopefully they start b1g 0-4, which is certainly possible!
13-14 LOL

 

[mikesright]

Michigan vs Iowa in the B1G Championship

 

[Buck2427]

Right. Urban is an all-time great coach, Ohio St. is crazy talented and I'm glad we don't play them again this year, but it's no secret spread option teams rely on the QB to be able to run. If defenses don't have to respect the QB run in the option, it's a lot easier to gap up and stop the running back. And it's easier against any offense to cover receivers and rush the passer when you don't have to worry about getting housed if you break contain on the QB.

Ohio State will still be very good, but losing that dimension to the offense makes this a different team and the 4 teams at the top of the East are all really, really tough.

You have a point, but if teams start to load the box to stop the run(which we have JK Dobbins and Mike Weber to contend with) I think Haskins has the arm to make them pay and with Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day calling more of the plays, we are going to move away from depending on the QB run option to more of a spread offense with a little bit of the qb run sprinkled in. Haskins is mobile enough to run the option, but it's not his specialty and the coaches are going to mold the offense to fit his strengths. The only team that really worries me in the East is Mich state.....

 

[dbrocket]

You have a point, but if teams start to load the box to stop the run(which we have JK Dobbins and Mike Weber to contend with) I think Haskins has the arm to make them pay and with Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day calling more of the plays, we are going to move away from depending on the QB run option to more of a spread offense with a little bit of the qb run sprinkled in. Haskins is mobile enough to run the option, but it's not his specialty and the coaches are going to mold the offense to fit his strengths. The only team that really worries me in the East is Mich state.....

That's all 100% fair and I won't be surprised if I'm wrong. I'll frankly never be surprised an Ohio St. team is good. But, the margin between Ohio St., Penn St., Michigan and to a lesser degree Michigan St. on paper is razor thin this year. So, this is my best guess.

(Off paper, I don't fully believe in Penn St. without Barkley, Michigan St. really just looked okay to me last yeat and I want them to burn to the ground, since they've been sweeping literal rapes under the rug to keep up appearances - also, Ped state, too. I haven't forgotten that.)

 

[marlo81]

ChiDoc,
The offense did struggle that year with Cardale at the helm, only because he had JT looking over his shoulder and Meyer totally messed that QB situation up in 2015. JT finally took over in the second quarter of the Penn State game that year and never looked back, until we forgot how to run the ball against Mich State and lost by a field goal.

I think they also lost their OC Tom Herman and the replacement was Tim Beck. I think that was the biggest difference.

 

[Buck2427]

I think they also lost their OC Tom Herman and the replacement was Tim Beck. I think that was the biggest difference.

We all wanted to have Urban's head checked for that hire...smh

 

[jimjim47]

That's all 100% fair and I won't be surprised if I'm wrong. I'll frankly never be surprised an Ohio St. team is good. But, the margin between Ohio St., Penn St., Michigan and to a lesser degree Michigan St. on paper is razor thin this year. So, this is my best guess.

(Off paper, I don't fully believe in Penn St. without Barkley, Michigan St. really just looked okay to me last yeat and I want them to burn to the ground, since they've been sweeping literal rapes under the rug to keep up appearances - also, Ped state, too. I haven't forgotten that.)

You are so right about Michigan State covering up rapes it is absolutely a "win at all cost" environment ever since Sparty hired Dantonio. They, MSU, base their whole image on how well their football and basketball programs perform.

Watch for another "bombshell" to come out on ESPN just before the season starts concerning Dantonio. My understanding is that some of Dantonio's football players physically abused a female MSU baskeball player or players. Dantonio and Hollis (AD) and Suzy Merchant (MSU womens basketball coach) got together to cover it up. Basically Suzy "took one for the team" and put protecting the image of MSU athletics above protecting her own players.

 

[jimjim47]

You have a point, but if teams start to load the box to stop the run(which we have JK Dobbins and Mike Weber to contend with) I think Haskins has the arm to make them pay and with Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day calling more of the plays, we are going to move away from depending on the QB run option to more of a spread offense with a little bit of the qb run sprinkled in. Haskins is mobile enough to run the option, but it's not his specialty and the coaches are going to mold the offense to fit his strengths. The only team that really worries me in the East is Mich state.....

What do you think of Michigan hiring Ed Warinner (former OSU Oline coach) to coach Michigan's offensive line and JIm McElwain (former Alabama OC and Florida HC) to coach Michigan wide receivers since you are so high on OSU assistant coaches Wilson and Day?

Michigan has not sat still in addressing the problems on offense including bringing in Shea Patterson along with coaches mentioned above.

The Michigan receiver class of Black, DPJ, Collins and Martin (all freshman last year but coached by a grad assistant) was considered the best in the country in 2017 but of course it will just be another year of the same for Michigan's offense.

OSU beat MSU 49-3 last year but you are more worried about MSU?

No doubt OSU has a lot of talent but they are not the only team that recruits well and hires excellent assistant coaches.

And yes I know Urban is 3-0 against Harbaugh.

 

[Johnsoda123]

Now we have Michigan and Ohio State fans arguing on the Iowa board in late July. That feels dirty.

 

[Buck2427]

What do you think of Michigan hiring Ed Warinner (former OSU Oline coach) to coach Michigan's offensive line and JIm McElwain (former Alabama OC and Florida HC) to coach Michigan wide receivers since you are so high on OSU assistant coaches Wilson and Day?

Michigan has not sat still in addressing the problems on offense including bringing in Shea Patterson along with coaches mentioned above.

The Michigan receiver class of Black, DPJ, Collins and Martin (all freshman last year but coached by a grad assistant) was considered the best in the country in 2017 but of course it will just be another year of the same for Michigan's offense.

OSU beat MSU 49-3 last year but you are more worried about MSU?

No doubt OSU has a lot of talent but they are not the only team that recruits well and hires excellent assistant coaches.

And yes I know Urban is 3-0 against Harbaugh.

I feel like Urban should've never elevated Warriner to OC and should've kept him as the line coach. Ed is a great coach and a heck of a recruiter and you guys have a good one! (Just stop using the linemen he recruited while at OSU and were drafted in the NFL on your recruiting material..lol)

I don't know enough about JIm McElwain, but he better not get too comfy, because if Harbaugh loses again to OSU or MSU, he will be looking for another job.

Kevin Wilson as a OC speaks for itself, what he did at Indiana and Oklahoma, especially Indiana with the talent he had to work with and they were always tops in total offense pretty much every year he was the HC is reason enough to believe he can do wonders with Haskins.

Ryan Day is a Chip Kelly protege' and a soon to be hot commodity for a head coaching job, as with Wilson, he should be an asset to helping Haskins develop as the year progresses.

The reason I worry about Mich State is Dantonio has had Urb's number and he's the only coach in the BIG that has two wins against Urban(Dantonio 2 Ferentz 1 and Harbaugh 0) TTUN will always be our "Rival", but until you guys start winning a game or two , I consider Mich state and PSU bigger rivals.