Michigan football at No. 37 on preseason rankings, one spot above San Diego State
When Brady Hoke was hired as the new Michigan football coach, he famously said he would have walked to Ann Arbor from San Diego for the job.
"Getting over the Rockies would have been a little tough, but we would have figured that out," he said.
According to the Rivals.com preseason rankings, that mountain range is the most significant elevation between Michigan and Hoke's former squad at San Diego State. For this season, anyway.
Rivals, which is revealing its preseason 120 countdown one team per day, unveiled Michigan at No. 36 today. Wednesday's team, at No. 37, was San Diego State.
The Rivals season preview includes best-case and worst-case scenarios for Michigan.
BEST-CASE: Denard Robinson again is a Heisman front-runner who gets help carrying the load, while the defense goes from awful to decent and the special teams aren't an embarrassment. The result: Michigan is a dark horse in the Legends Division.WORST-CASE: Robinson gets hurt, the defense continues to reek and the kicking game remains an abomination, pushing Michigan to the postseason sideline for the third time in four seasons.
Four teams on Michigan's 2012 schedule has yet to be ranked on the Rivals preseason 120: Notre Dame, Michigan State, Nebraska and Ohio State.
That means eight Michigan opponents are ranked lower than the Wolverines: San Diego State (No. 37), Iowa (No. 38), Northwestern (No. 48), Illinois (No. 56), Purdue (No. 74), Western Michigan (No. 85), Minnesota (No. 102) and Eastern Michigan (No. 115).
Comments
lugemachine
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
Bear in mind that Devin Gardner was a recruit with much more national attention than Denard ever had. He's much taller and a natural passer (e.g. he fits this offense better). He's still got speed, though not Denard speed. He's had as much exposure to Borges' offense as has Denard. He's got a year of college under his belt. He's no longer a kid. Don't be surprised if Devin is competing for the starting role next month.
A2comments
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 11:23 a.m.
Kicking will be better. Brady signed my grandmother, who, even though she passed away decades ago, can kick better than last year's performance...
Terry Star21
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 4:30 a.m.
Now wait a minute, the main headline reads; "Michigan football at No. 37 on preseason rankings". Yet four paragraphs down it reads; "unveiled Michigan at No. 36 today. Wednesday's team, at No. 37, was San Diego State". Please, this is breaking headline news, I won't be able to sleep tonight - please help, is it #36 or #37 ?
OldBittyBates
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 2:37 a.m.
Does anyone have a coin to toss? It's likely that many games this season will go down to the wire. The difference between a good, mediocre, and terrible year depends on luck, fumbles, key interceptions, play calling, and the will to win at any cost. What kind of heart and soul can Brady Hoke transplant into this 2011 Michigan football team? Does Brady have sufficient motivational skills? We will soon find out.
maizenbluedoc
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.
I am not the least concerned with UM being ranked #37. I would much prefer that they are ranked there and not a high ranking, only to drop a game like the App. State debacle and become the laughing stock of sports fans (?). I don't usually bet, but I am willing to bet that UM will end the season much higher than #37. passez au bleu.
Terry Star21
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 9:56 p.m.
I agree that Michigan Football will finish in the Top 25 at the conclusion and that is ll that counts. Yes, it's nice being Top 25 ranked coming in, but so much better climbing every week like the M tradition. Looking over our schedule this year, I find that we have overall winning records against all 12 teams we play - I fully expect that tradition to continue as well. All those teams and players should look great this season - in our rear view mirror of course. MgoBlueForTim...........an amazing 2,791 days since the buckeyes played an honest football game.
golfer
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
who cares lets see the w and l at the end of the season.
Mick
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 8:51 p.m.
Well folks, there have been years where going into the season we were predicted to have a much worse season than actually happened on the field. Case in point, 1985, 1997 and 2006 just to name a few. Those teams were solid in all facets of the game but especially on Defense. This season will be similarly decided IMHO. As long as the coaching staff helps improve that side of the ball and we see a team that gets better as the season goes along and not regress like the last 3 years, then the sky is the limit. I truly believe that we have way more talent than many people are giving them credit for. This team will be way better coached than ever, so we shall see, the proof will be on the field of course. Remember also that before the past 3 years, U-M had a tendency to get better and not worse throughout the season, I'm thinking that tendency will re-emerge. TiM, Go Blue!!!
DonAZ
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
I agree with Craig Lounsbury ... beyond 25 and it just gets a little silly. The "news" here is not that Michigan is ranked #37, but rather that Michigan is *not* ranked in the top 25. But hey ... that's okay. Seriously. It's okay. Because as Joe Kidd writes, "You are what you earn." Better for Michigan to exceed expectations this first year under Hoke and climb into the top 25 than to start there and fall out. My sense is Michigan will finish the year in the top 25. Where they start? Meh. *shrugs*
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Given that Robinson missed parts of 10 different games last season due to various injuries, I think it's safe to say he will not be a Heisman candidate. And Hoke knows not to have Robinson run 25 times per game.
Joe Kidd
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 7:39 p.m.
I care not about pre-season polls. You are what you earn.
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
my extensive research suggests EMU should actually be #113
Terry Star21
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 10 p.m.
Feel so bad for our neighbors to the east but wish them well. I am unintentionally catching up to you with my posts being deleted - lord though, I am really trying hard to not get deleted......stay tuned.
Blu-dogg97
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.
again Craig your a funny guy ! you made me laugh.
81wolverine
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.
#36 seems a little low. But then again I understand people aren't going to believe we're any kind of good team until our defense shows they can stop most teams. Michigan has to prove they can win against good teams to get respect. This is so early though, pre-season ratings really have little relevance.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.
I haven't read any expert who thinks it will be much different. Still better than last year. Phil Steele, who almost always has the most accurate predictions, has Michigan at #41.
Hailmary
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 7:07 p.m.
Well, let me see if I've got this straight. Mich. is ranked # 37 based on, uh what is it based on again? Okay, let's go another direction. Michigan is ranked higher than 8 of its opponents based on, uh what is it based on? How about if I get back with you when I begin to understand why they even have these rankings this time of year. Go Blue!
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
I realize cranking out reading material is in the job description but beyond the top 10-25 it hardly matters.