tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post4108726421240396935..comments2024-03-19T08:41:48.771-04:00Comments on Touch the Banner: 2012 Season PredictionsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-48251795142364542272012-08-31T22:41:19.460-04:002012-08-31T22:41:19.460-04:00Yeah, the problem with "breakout" player...Yeah, the problem with "breakout" players is that we have a lot of returning starters, and I think Michigan is likely to continue largely where they left off last year. There will be some improvement, but Michigan doesn't need freshmen to contribute as much as they did last season. I'm sure some freshmen will contribute, but perhaps not at a level I would consider a "breakout."Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-20001186022166778222012-08-31T19:04:18.363-04:002012-08-31T19:04:18.363-04:00The MSU game is about hitting. I think we restore...The MSU game is about hitting. I think we restore order and outhit Sparty at home.<br /><br />The OSU game is frequently about Senior Quarterbacks and big plays. We have one, he can make em.<br /><br />Don't underestimate Lincoln though as a tough place to play. While they can't get it to shake and shudder like it's coming down ala Camp Randall, the Cornhuskers get that place rockin' pretty good. If stuff starts going wrong it can stay wrong at Memorial Stadium.Roanmanhttp://justthinking.usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-28482836291086940782012-08-31T18:34:17.578-04:002012-08-31T18:34:17.578-04:00I see State getting body slammed big time in A2. A...I see State getting body slammed big time in A2. A world of hurt is going to be laid on them.<br /><br />Also, 1-2 vs these big 3....ND, OSU, Neb.<br /><br />9 - 3, or 8 - 4 if a slip up elsewhere but still satisfying with a win over "lil-bro" and a decent bowl appearance again<br />Sgt.Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049086285878651147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-7498404440838944772012-08-31T17:27:31.711-04:002012-08-31T17:27:31.711-04:00Morgan 'broke out' only in the sense that ...Morgan 'broke out' only in the sense that he was a freshman everyone though would red-shirt. But he was wrong more often than he was right, and he's an undersized guy with mediocre athleticism. Morgan had a target on his back for most of the season. Sometimes he did OK, but the target remained. He seems like a gritty kid with a good work ethic and head on his shoulders but he's not a playmaker. Countess and Ryan seem like potential all-conference players.<br /><br />I don't think WDE is a positional weakness - not with Black, Beyer, Clark there and Ryan used there situationally. Ojemudia could play, but if he does it's not for a lack of ability at the position -- which is what you actually WANT from freshman, rather than needing them to fill a hole.Lankonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-14663510923311171152012-08-31T16:44:31.519-04:002012-08-31T16:44:31.519-04:00Great post - one of my favorites to read each yea...Great post - one of my favorites to read each year... Here are my predictions:<br /><br />Lead Rusher: Toussaint. I fear Denard's going to get hurt. They'll look to limit his exposure against some weaker teams (where he would have previously put up big numbers). Toussaint is a special talent and he's running behind a great OL if they're healthy - I think he has a great year and then goes to the NFL. Not playing against the 'Bama D won't cost him much production anyway.<br /><br />Lead Receiver: Gallon. I think they'll spread the ball around, but Gallon's the most talented receiver on the roster - they'll make it a point to get him the ball. Not sure how yards will shake out exactly, but I think Gallon at least tops the team in receptions.<br /><br />Lead tackler: Demens. obvious choice, though if things go bad it could be Kovacs.<br /><br />Lead Sacker: Clark. With no dominant DL threat, this is a tough one. I think offenses are going to keep a close eye on Ryan this year. Mattison will send heat from elsewhere.<br /><br />Lead INT. Avery. Should be in a lot and it's easier to snare INTs on the interior than in one-on-one deep coverage.<br /><br />Breakout O: Barnum. This is a tough one because Denard, Gallon, Toussaint, etc are all pretty established players. I think a few freshman will contribute (Norfleet, Funchess, Darboh, Williams) but none are going to put up huge numbers. Barnum's always been a well-regarded player but never stayed healthy. This year he 'breaks out' by staying healthy in a pivotal role at C and makes some all-conference teams. <br /><br />Disappointing O: Rawls. I expect a lot of carries for less than 4 yards and lots of groans, maybe some fumble issues. People will prefer the little guys get the ball.<br /><br />Breakout D: Ross. I'll go out on a limb and say he ends up starting this year. Runner-up: Black. People are going to end up valuing and respecting his versatility. Guy I HOPE it is: Ash.<br /><br />Disappointing D: Morgan. When the DL gets run over he is going to be exposed. I was going to put Campbell, but I think his move back to 3-tech has put most people's expectations back into the sphere of reasonable. Washington is another candidate but I'm still not sure how much he actually plays and I don't think people expect much. Pipkins, relative to the fact that people were talking about him being a starter a few months ago is an easy choice, but people who are sane about recriting will recognize that any contribution at all from him is a good sign for the future. Overall - Most already recognize that the DL in general is going to be a weakness, so I think the disappointment will come from the LBs not being quite as good as they looked last year - especially Morgan.<br /><br /><br /><br />Season: 8-4. Bama, Notre Dame, Nebraska, and OSU seem like losses to me. I think there's another injury-induced upset in there too but we'll probably snatch a victory from one of the 4 tough road games too. I do think we beat MSU at home. (That may be wishful thinking, but I think their luck has run out). Nebraska at night is going to be WAY tougher than people think. Reading way too much into last year's head-to-head matchup. Nebraskas a good team. The season will be defined by the OSU game. If they win that and go 9-3 or so, I think everyone is happy.Lankonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-7676785723986200132012-08-31T14:39:21.713-04:002012-08-31T14:39:21.713-04:00ND also benefited from bad QB play in the last two...ND also benefited from bad QB play in the last two games...at least for most of them. I say the Notre Dame curse continues and we beat them right at the end. Could be another toss-up, especially being on the road at night.<br /><br />I agree entirely that the coaches are geared up for MSU. Even though they've only been here a year, they're probably more sick of getting beat by Sparty than the fans.BlastBeat88https://www.blogger.com/profile/11495258339873702405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-42632278922001250492012-08-31T12:25:49.323-04:002012-08-31T12:25:49.323-04:00Agree with the W/L predictions, except ND and MSU....Agree with the W/L predictions, except ND and MSU. UM benefitted from terrible QB play in the last two ND games and should have lost both. I'm guessing that Kelly finally finds a QB who can avoid turnovers, comes to his senses and runs more, and Denard struggles a bit on the road in South Bend.<br /><br />Michigan beating MSU this year is a good bet in my opinion. MSU has a good defense, but UM's offense made them look better than they really were last season. Borges and the OL will be ready for them this year and Mattison will eat up their overrated offense, especially at home. Hoke is zeroing in on this game big-time.<br /><br />You went safe on the breakout players. Last year, I'd say they were Morgan, Countess, Ryan, and Fitz (going from nothing to major contributors). Three of those guys were freshman-eligible players who became at least competent starters. With higher quality recruits now coming in, I think you have at least that many freshmen who make their marks. My guesses for the most likely would be Norfleet, Darboh, Funchess, Kalis, Ojemudia, Bolden, DG at WR, Bellomy, and Pipkins. Of those guys, I think Funchess , Gardner (WR), and Ojemudia are best bets because of positional weaknesses.Painter Smurfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-77624152108151548202012-08-31T11:48:46.947-04:002012-08-31T11:48:46.947-04:00Michigan loses more up front than MSU. Worthy was...Michigan loses more up front than MSU. Worthy was good, but there's more to than defense than just him.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-40434360490315906982012-08-31T10:55:36.775-04:002012-08-31T10:55:36.775-04:00I wishI wishAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-47592099106077071162012-08-31T10:32:27.729-04:002012-08-31T10:32:27.729-04:00That would be about the most unsatisfying 9-3 reco...That would be about the most unsatisfying 9-3 record imaginable. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-55490399039099685382012-08-31T10:29:11.894-04:002012-08-31T10:29:11.894-04:00I think Fitz will lead the team in rushing. I only...I think Fitz will lead the team in rushing. I only expect him to miss one game and I believe the staff really wants to get their rushing yards from a feature back not the QB. I'll take Fitz with 1200 yards and Denard will have around 1000.<br /><br />For breakout offensive player, I am going with Devin Funchess. Big rangy WR/TE. Gardner has the same measurables but has never been a WR before and will struggle with routes and hands. Funchess will be a big weapon in the Red Zone. He won't lead the team in receptions or receiving yards, but for a true frosh he will put up pretty good numbers: 350 receiving yards and 5 TD's.<br /><br />UM will beat MSU this season (close game though) but lose to the Domers and Cornshuckers. UM is actually better than both of those squads IMO, but with the games being on the road and at night, I think UM loses close ones to both. Final regular season record: 8-4.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-66530693811111094252012-08-31T10:20:38.072-04:002012-08-31T10:20:38.072-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02559156531783488265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-16858537900963406182012-08-31T10:15:58.861-04:002012-08-31T10:15:58.861-04:00Nope, sorry. For what they lost in the middle up f...Nope, sorry. For what they lost in the middle up front, they basically gain everywhere else on the D as both LB and secondary core groups are better along with their edge situation. Everyone in Michigan land is basically hoping and praying that Maxwell and his WR's flop because that's what it would take for the rest of the team to not get them the win. Unfortunately, Maxwell doesn't need to be great for State to win, just not bad and it doesn't look like he will be bad. Objectively, I'm going with Magnus on this onePaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02559156531783488265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-18608343457762805492012-08-31T09:54:58.810-04:002012-08-31T09:54:58.810-04:00Bama: Win
MSU: Win
Ohio: Win
12-0Bama: Win<br />MSU: Win<br />Ohio: Win<br /><br />12-0Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-85019825784016249982012-08-31T09:32:00.223-04:002012-08-31T09:32:00.223-04:00We beat Michigan State this year.
They lose Jerel...We beat Michigan State this year.<br /><br />They lose Jerel Worthy and replace him with basically a nobody. Double A-gap blitzes or not, the pressure up the middle is going to be greatly reduced from last year. Add in MSU's probable difficulty in scoring, and I'm marking that a win.BlastBeat88https://www.blogger.com/profile/11495258339873702405noreply@blogger.com