Oregon 39, Michigan 7 (final)

[OCBucksFan]

ESPN - 0-2 showdown: Hart says Michigan will beat Irish - College Football

"This team's going to be ready to go, there's no doubt in my mind. I'm not going to lose. We're not going to lose," Hart said Saturday, according to the Detroit Free Press. "It is what it is. Obviously, I talk. I talk a lot, everyone knows that. I mean what I say. It came out in there because I feel like we're being doubted. I feel like it's something we need."

 

[Bleed S & G]

I actually found myself feeling bad for scUM saturday, even a little embarrased. Then I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for having such pity for scUM!

 

[Gatorubet]

Just my observation, but I would fear most is the possibility that Michigan wins most of its Big-10 games. In the "my conference is better" chest thumping, a Michigan that is a contender for the Big -10 crown after a loss to appy state and being sodomized by the Ducks would not reflect well on the conference. Just like the Hogs getting pounded by USC and being in the SEC Championship game.

What is the best guess? Michigan goes in a tail spin and has a losing season, being beat down by everyone remotely good, or regroups and :::shudder::: beats all of it's in-conference foes but TOSU?

 

[23Skidoo]

Just my observation, but I would fear most is the possibility that Michigan wins most of its Big-10 games. In the "my conference is better" chest thumping, a Michigan that is a contender for the Big -10 crown after a loss to appy state and being sodomized by the Ducks would not reflect well on the conference. Just like the Hogs getting pounded by USC and being in the SEC Championship game.

What is the best guess? Michigan goes in a tail spin and has a losing season, being beat down by everyone remotely good, or regroups and :::shudder::: beats all of it's in-conference foes but TOSU?

That's a concern for SEC teams that never leave the South and conference bottom feeders. But not for us in my opinion.
Our schedule is what it is, this year it happens to be rather weak but I don't see us in the NC anyway. Next 2 years we play USC, then VT. And we've got high-profile teams scheduled for years after that. We played Texas the 2 years prior to this.
Ohio State just needs to keep up the good scheduling and play their games to win. Ohio State controls its destiny as much as anyone in a popular conference.

 

[Gatorubet]

That's a concern for SEC teams that never leave the South and conference bottom feeders. But not for us in my opinion.
Our schedule is what it is, this year it happens to be rather weak but I don't see us in the NC anyway. Next 2 years we play USC, then VT. And we've got high-profile teams scheduled for years after that. We played Texas the 2 years prior to this.
Ohio State just needs to keep up the good scheduling and play their games to win. Ohio State controls its destiny as much as anyone in a popular conference.

In other words, you have no idea how Michigan will do. Gotcha.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

What is the best guess? Michigan goes in a tail spin and has a losing season, being beat down by everyone remotely good, or regroups and :::shudder::: beats all of it's in-conference foes but TOSU?

I think PSU finally has a great shot at beating Michigan (they've lost seven in a row to them, if I'm not mistaken). I think Wisconsin will handle Michigan up in Cramped Ramhole. Michigan State looks to be much improved (and shouldn't implode, since "I slap myself silly" Smith is no longer head coach), and gets Michigan at home. Then, of course, there's The Game. Don't be surprised if Michigan goes 4-4 in conference.

 

[iambrutus]

Uh, yeah...mentioned more than once.

[start sarcasm]it was?[end sarcasm]

 

[23Skidoo]

In other words, you have no idea how Michigan will do. Gotcha.

Do any of us? Not really. Their team has a lot of very real holes and problems, but I think their team still has a lot of "potential" too -- it's just a question of if they'll ever turn the lights back on.

I used to be a conference chest-thumper... still root for B10 teams a lot. But if they lose... that's their problem, not Ohio States. I'll be rooting against Michigan all year (usual), but if they start winning games the only time I'd feel embarrassed is if they beat Ohio State.
Teams like LSU, Alabama, Auburn, WVU, UL (and others) depend on conference strength because they don't play anyone else.

 

[sandgk]

What is the best guess? Michigan goes in a tail spin and has a losing season, being beat down by everyone remotely good, or regroups and :::shudder::: beats all of it's in-conference foes but TOSU?

Tailspin is my guess at this time. Especially with "Stands Like A Statue" under center.

I think PSU finally has a great shot at beating Michigan (they've lost seven in a row to them, if I'm not mistaken).

Seven in a row? Well, yes, though the streak goes back to '97 and is 8-0 in favor of TSUN.
I agree though - TSUN could easily go down hard this year. As NFBuck opined, where are their 6 wins to make a bowl game?

 

[BrutusBobcat]

I think PSU finally has a great shot at beating Michigan (they've lost seven in a row to them, if I'm not mistaken). I think Wisconsin will handle Michigan up in Cramped Ramhole. Michigan State looks to be much improved (and shouldn't implode, since "I slap myself silly" Smith is no longer head coach), and gets Michigan at home. Then, of course, there's The Game. Don't be surprised if Michigan goes 4-4 in conference.

I'm with you. Unless Michigan suddenly sprouts a defense, 4-4 is the optimistic end of the range. PSU, MSU, UW and tOSU are guaranteed losses for the Michigan team that's shown up for weeks 1 and 2.

Purdue has one of their better teams in quite some time, and the not-so-big-anymore house isn't going to be too intimidating for the Boilers, especially when they get to look at Michigan's secondary. The game at Illinois isn't anywhere near a lock, since Juice is another one of those pesky mobile QBs that routinely torture the weasels.

Heck, after watching the App State film, even truly hapless Eastern Michigan is going to go into Ann Arbor believing that they can have their own moment of YouTube glory and Cafe Press t-shirts.

The blood is in the water, and there's a long way to go from where they are now to a point where they can threaten to win on the road in the Big Ten. A good start might be actually winning a home game against an unranked team.

 

[Gatorubet]

Do any of us? Not really. Their team has a lot of very real holes and problems, but I think their team still has a lot of "potential" too -- it's just a question of if they'll ever turn the lights back on.

I used to be a conference chest-thumper... still root for B10 teams a lot. But if they lose... that's their problem, not Ohio States. I'll be rooting against Michigan all year (usual), but if they start winning games the only time I'd feel embarrassed is if they beat Ohio State.
Teams like LSU, Alabama, Auburn, WVU, UL (and others) depend on conference strength because they don't play anyone else.

Yeah. The conference rivalry can be fun, and I root for my SEC brothers always. But after our very real near miss getting to the MNC, the "popularity" issue has become very real to me. What some unknown coaches poll voter thinks about my conference might be the difference between a MNC shot or another bowl. As it is, any championhip is largely luck based anyway. TOSU winning a bowl game in Jan '97 to let the Gators slip into a MNC chance against FSU. Gators returning the favor in '02 by giving the only "L" to a previously undefeated Georgia team - helping somebody get into the game, can't remember who....

Anway, it may not be right, but with ABC/ESPN and its spin machine campaigning to get the match up they want, the "spin" about conference strength takes on a new meaning. A team starting one ranking lower (if that ranking is based upon perceived conference strength) and any given team might be left out come January.

 

[Dryden]

Yeah. The conference rivalry can be fun, and I root for my SEC brothers always. But after our very real near miss getting to the MNC, the "popularity" issue has become very real to me. What some unknown coaches poll voter thinks about my conference might be the difference between a MNC shot or another bowl. As it is, any championhip is largely luck based anyway. TOSU winning a bowl game in Jan '97 to let the Gators slip into a MNC chance against FSU. Gators returning the favor in '02 by giving the only "L" to a previously undefeated Georgia team - helping somebody get into the game, can't remember who....

Anway, it may not be right, but with ABC/ESPN and its spin machine campaigning to get the match up they want, the "spin" about conference strength takes on a new meaning. A team starting one ranking lower (if that ranking is based upon perceived conference strength) and any given team might be left out come January.

Bring this up again next year. As it stands, I don't think any Big 10 team was getting into the National Title game this year anyway -- with or without Michigan imploding.

I think LSU v USC has been the mortal lock for quite some time. Provided neither loses, I'm fine with that, so both fan bases can shut the fuck up about split titles already (and that would mean maybe Oklahoma got screwed out of a championship game appearance, and those undeserving bastards are long overdue).

 

[Tonyank]

I think LSU v USC has been the mortal lock for quite some time. Provided neither loses, I'm fine with that, so both fan bases can shut the fuck up about split titles already.

Agreed!!! Maybe WVU has a chance, I think Rutgers or Lou. will end that chance.

 

[EastFourteenth]

Did anyone else have to joy of watching this game with Michigan fans?

I couldn't stop laughing...two wonderful weekends in a row.

 

[Tonyank]

Did anyone else have to joy of watching this game with Michigan fans?

I couldn't stop laughing...two wonderful weekends in a row.

lol I was suppose to go over a buddy's at halftime, but I didnt wanna hear repeat of last week for 2 hours again...They were in a BAD mood hehe