Michigan football fans: Team's No. 8 ranking brings guarded optimism, Kool-Aid refusal and terror
Is the Michigan football team's No. 8 preseason ranking too high? Readers offer their take.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
For the first time since 2007, Michigan will start the year among the nation's elite (as far as pollsters are concerned), as the Wolverines debuted at No. 8 in last week's initial USA Today Coaches Poll.
Whenever a preseason poll is released, fans generally try to keep themselves guarded with one main mantra:
"Who cares?"
But, of course, the truth tells us that fans do in fact care. Otherwise, preseason polls might not exist.
Michigan will start the season as high as No. 8 (The Associated Press Top 25 debuts Aug. 18), but is that too high? Too low? Just right?
Cause for joy? Cause for concern? Cause for indifference?
That all depends on who you ask.
One fan doesn't think No. 8 is a poor ranking, but isn't exactly looking at BCS title game ticket prices just yet.
- Macabre Sunset: It's an appropriate ranking - Michigan has a lot of experience now, and is expected to build on last year's success. Denard in particular will have more opportunities in the second year of learning this offense.
My worry is about the reaction if Alabama gives us a thumping. Their offensive line is the best in the country and our defensive line is our weakest unit. They will move the ball on the ground. It's absolutely the worst possible matchup for a week 1 game.
Another likes the idea of being ranked that high to start the season, but can't seem to force down that last sip of Kool-Aid.
- MRunner73: Lots of Maize and Blue Kool-aid and love towards Michigan. I wish but wouldn't go that high. Anybody remember 2007? The first game was at home with App State. The offense and defense was loaded for Michigan. What happened? Point is, this year's defense lost some key player to graduation. A few missing pieces on offense with some brush ups with the law.
I hope those pundits are correct.
Then comes the vote for indifference ...
- Blu n Tpa: Very few teams benefit from a high ranking this early in the (pre)season. A Boise State or TCU type team gets a break due to difficulty or lack thereof of their schedule, with a high early season ranking. At least one "highly ranked" team will go into the second week of the season with a loss. Will it matter down the road? We'll see.
Early season polls are nothing more than window dressing for fans and grist for the media mills. (This being a case in point.)
And the terror ...
- AnnArborDon: Pre-season high ranking means:
-- some players on your squad may get over-confident,
-- other teams won't take you lightly,
-- teams with an underdog complex will be out to get you,
-- teams with a score to settle will be even more out to get you,
-- every other team will be trying to prove themselves,
-- more eyes will be watching for failure.
Who wouldn't want that?
All good points from differing sides of the coin. It's still tough to predict how exactly everything shakes out.
But the good news here?
The speculating ends in 24 days.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
Nick, thanks for using my comments but I would disagree with your labelling it as "indifference". If I was indifferent I wouldn't have posted anything. It is how I think the media drives the discussion and raises the level of interest by voting various programs to the top 25, pre-season. Where was Michigan ranked, pre-season, last year? No matter the source Michigan finished much higher than any pre-season ranking had tham. Did it matter? (Case in point.)
Hailmary
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
Yes Nick, I to think Mich.State is underrated and I think if Mich. over looks State or Iowa we are in for a rude awakening. Mich. State is a darned good team if not the best in the BTN and personally I think Mich. State is or will be all Mich. can handle. Mich. state could very well end up in the , Rose Bowl. I like Mich. State to win it all but my hopes are behind Mich.
Nick Baumgardner
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
Michigan finished No. 9 in the coaches poll, No. 11 in the AP poll last season. The Wolverines return a lot, but also have questions. I have no issue with them being at No. 8, and I probably wouldn't dip them below No. 10. All in all, they're about where they belong right now -- given the teams in front/behind them. I do, however, think Michigan State is a bit too low. UM and MSU are extremely even (on paper) at this point, IMO.
Hailmary
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 7:10 p.m.
Nick, what is your take on the ranking and how do you compare the coming team with last years team ?
Nick Baumgardner
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
I hear you, Blu. No worries. As I said before, good take on your part.
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.
Nick, I took no offense, and maybe I tried to be more analytical about what the overall value of pre-season ranking than the article invited. Still, like most fans, I enjoy seeing Michigan up in the Top 25 and I hope we stay there. Michigan has a great coaching staff and the remaining players know what is expected of them. When it's all said and done, the results on the field are all that matter. TiM Go Blue! Hailmary, that might be the nicest thing anyone on this site ever wrote about me. I humbly thank you. This is Michigan! Go Blue!
Hailmary
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.
Blu n Tpa, I like your post and respect your opinions and it's that kind of dedication that rubs certain folks the wrong way, dedication to the program and University as a whole. Lloyd was a fine man and coach in my opinion. Out here in Calif. there are those that miss Pete Carrol just as many ohio fans miss Tressel. The fact of the matter is that those coaches nearly ruined storied programs with their greed to win at all cost. I'll take a coach with integrity and a decent record over a win at all cost coach. I for one do not believe you are indifferent in any fashion as to the success or the failures,(RR) of our great Wolverines and proud University. As I'm sure you know a great and proud program like Michigan's will attract the detractors and it's obvious by some of the posts on this site. In my opinion this is a wildly fabulous time to be a Wolverine fan and although as of recent we've had our ups and downs I say, things are certainly looking up. Go Big Blue !
Nick Baumgardner
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.
Blu n Tpa, I certainly didn't mean you were indifferent to the subject of the team, but the comment just seemed (to me, anyway) that you were on the side of the fence that won't put much stock into any preseason poll (which is generally wise, by the way). I thought you made a good point. Sorry for the confusion.
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
SEC Didn't Michigan beat a team in a BCS bowl earlier this year and didn't your team, LSU, lose their bowl game vs a team they already beat? So your win vs "Bama early in the season was due to "Bama having an off day. LSU was over ranked and you are wasting our time. TiM Go Blue!
Hailmary
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:39 a.m.
Speculation and more speculation is half the fun of the college football season. I find the actual game to be entertainment and nothing more. Win or lose it doesn't pay my bills or keep my family safe. I enjoy the 3 hr. spectacle, stuff myself with barbecue and enjoy the rush of the game itself. Once the game is over I know I've been entertained for 3 hrs. win or lose. Next !
Hailmary
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
AZ, I think, sooner rather than later your going to be entertained quite often
azwolverine
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
I'm only entertained if Michigan wins.
2charles
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
MICHIGAN is everyones biggest game. It doesnt matter where we're ranked we get every teams best shot every saturday. We're used to this! GO BLUE!
wolverine14
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
Agreed.
BornInA2
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
Are we now commenting on an article about other comments? Come on season, get here soon!
Robert Granville
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
AnnArborDon overlooks that fact that every team brings their A game to Michigan. What team in the country wouldn't take great pride in beating the team with the most wins and best win percentage in football history?
wolverine14
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 6:03 p.m.
SEC- If EVERY team brings their A game, and Michigan wins 11 games, loses two, I would say Michigan can beat teams that do not have an off game. In fact, over the last hundred years, Michigan has proven it does that more than any other team. Go ahead, start arguing. All I am saying, is your reply makes no sense.
SEC Fan
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
so you're saying um isn't good enough to beat teams that don't have "off-days"! Well said and I totally agree!!!!!