Just shows how totally worthless preseason predictions are...

[tboyer]

Great things are expected from Michigan every year because there's so much talent on that roster. Every year, the sports experts suffer collective amnesia and forget that Michigan has underperformed its talent for like 48 of the last 50 years. They also forget that Harbaugh has not shown that he has any knack for managing a college football program other than recruiting.

Meanwhile, nobody expected Wisconsin to be any good this year. Which made absolutely no sense because the Badgers are maybe the most consistently good team in college football and they weren't good last year. If anybody reverts to the mean after a subpar season, it's Wisky. They won't be great, they'll be good. They'll win the west and play Ohio State in the championship and lose (respectably) just like they always do.

 

[dwiz]

I wouldn't say nobody expected anything from Wisc. Pretty much predicted to win the BIG west by everyone and are ranked 12. Michigan being shit every year is something everyone should see coming though. And they'll still probably beat us.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

College football expert definition is: drone, ass kisser, rigid traditionalist,know nothing that is loud and confident.

 

[Sharkies]

I literally cant wait to see Notre Dame shit the bed tn

.

 

[Brian LB-U]

And talent assessments from the pundits. What is crystal clear is Wisconsin is FAR more talented than Michigan across the board. The truth of the matter is the Badgers are perennially underrated from a talent standpoint. Why? It's mainly because the rating services aren't flocking to Green Bay or Madison to host recruiting combines.

UW is also the only game in town in a state of nearly 6 million people (similar in size to MD). They have over 50 natives on the current roster and it's easy to see why they stay home - Its a wonderful school in a fantastic town that also happens to be around 150 miles from Chicago.

The program has been very successful since Barry Alverez began to turn things around nearly 30 years ago. They don't have any problem filling out the roster with out of state kids.

 

[PSUFBFAN]

Great things are expected from Michigan every year because there's so much talent on that roster. Every year, the sports experts suffer collective amnesia and forget that Michigan has underperformed its talent for like 48 of the last 50 years. They also forget that Harbaugh has not shown that he has any knack for managing a college football program other than recruiting.

Meanwhile, nobody expected Wisconsin to be any good this year. Which made absolutely no sense because the Badgers are maybe the most consistently good team in college football and they weren't good last year. If anybody reverts to the mean after a subpar season, it's Wisky. They won't be great, they'll be good. They'll win the west and play Ohio State in the championship and lose (respectably) just like they always do.

While nobody could have foreseen today's a$$ beating, anyone who predicted UM to the playoffs was a fool. College football success is due to talent, coaching, luck, and scheduling. No team in the country who has to play Army, Wisconsin, Iowa, Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan state, Ohio state, and a conference championship game .. was going to make it through that schedule with less than 2 losses.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Yet, to Delaney and the old guard B10 whores.... they are nothing and the UM - OSU tragedy at the end of the season is something. Something, I am afraid, that smells like Lutefisk left in the sun for days.

 

[RussianEagle]

Great things are expected from Michigan every year because there's so much talent on that roster. Every year, the sports experts suffer collective amnesia and forget that Michigan has underperformed its talent for like 48 of the last 50 years. They also forget that Harbaugh has not shown that he has any knack for managing a college football program other than recruiting.

Meanwhile, nobody expected Wisconsin to be any good this year. Which made absolutely no sense because the Badgers are maybe the most consistently good team in college football and they weren't good last year. If anybody reverts to the mean after a subpar season, it's Wisky. They won't be great, they'll be good. They'll win the west and play Ohio State in the championship and lose (respectably) just like they always do.

Yes. That’s why it’s so stupid to see people complain that their team was ranked #10 in a preseason poll when they believe they should be ranked #5.

 

[uhlerlion]

Great things are expected from Michigan every year because there's so much talent on that roster. Every year, the sports experts suffer collective amnesia and forget that Michigan has underperformed its talent for like 48 of the last 50 years. They also forget that Harbaugh has not shown that he has any knack for managing a college football program other than recruiting.

Meanwhile, nobody expected Wisconsin to be any good this year. Which made absolutely no sense because the Badgers are maybe the most consistently good team in college football and they weren't good last year. If anybody reverts to the mean after a subpar season, it's Wisky. They won't be great, they'll be good. They'll win the west and play Ohio State in the championship and lose (respectably) just like they always do.

Yep all part of the media hype machine to manufacture matchups for ratings and skew the season to where they want it to go. Add to that ---question why have recruiting rankings??? to justify preseason rankings--all part of the same bullshit.

Let it all shake out on the field till like week 6 then actually start ranking

 

[JusticeBarkley]

The polls are basically "We know that Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma and Ohio State are most likely going to be great and now we should just start to speculate on who else might be good."

 

[bvillebaron]

And talent assessments from the pundits. What is crystal clear is Wisconsin is FAR more talented than Michigan across the board. The truth of the matter is the Badgers are perennially underrated from a talent standpoint. Why? It's mainly because the rating services aren't flocking to Green Bay or Madison to host recruiting combines.

UW is also the only game in town in a state of nearly 6 million people (similar in size to MD). They have over 50 natives on the current roster and it's easy to see why they stay home - Its a wonderful school in a fantastic town that also happens to be around 150 miles from Chicago.

The program has been very successful since Barry Alverez began to turn things around nearly 30 years ago. They don't have any problem filling out the roster with out of state kids.

I despise Hairball and Michigan. Having said that, I think we ought to tap the brakes on crowning Wisconsin. I also disagree that Wisconsin has far more talent than Michigan. As the commentators noted at halftime, the Michigan defenders were constantly out of position. The so-called Michigan “genius” defensive coordinator also appeared to make no halftime adjustments.

As you point out, Wisconsin does a great job of recruiting players to suit its style of play. However, the ground and pound Wisconsin scheme is a limited one. It’s terrific when they can control the clock and get a lead. The real test will be, as it always seems to be, whether their QB is good enough to make plays when they fall behind by double digits.

Having said all that I absolutely loved the Michigan beat down yesterday and watched every glorious minute.

 

[Nitt1300]

preseason polls are a joke- always have been, always will be

the only one that counts is the one after the bowls

 

[CoastGuard2018]

I despise Hairball and Michigan. Having said that, I think we ought to tap the brakes on crowning Wisconsin. I also disagree that Wisconsin has far more talent than Michigan. As the commentators noted at halftime, the Michigan defenders were constantly out of position. The so-called Michigan “genius” defensive coordinator also appeared to make no halftime adjustments.

As you point out, Wisconsin does a great job of recruiting players to suit its style of play. However, the ground and pound Wisconsin scheme is a limited one. It’s terrific when they can control the clock and get a lead. The real test will be, as it always seems to be, whether their QB is good enough to make plays when they fall behind by double digits.

Having said all that I absolutely loved the Michigan beat down yesterday and watched every glorious minute.

The one big difference from a lot of there other teams is that Coan is looking like a difference maker at Qb.

 

[JusticeBarkley]

The fact that there's articles saying there's only 12 teams left in the playoff race prove just how broken the system is. The polls are a joke. The system is a joke. Pretty much everything has to change.

College football used to be by far my favorite sport but it has failed to adapt. There's a handful of games that have any meaning every weekend. I still watch but interest is definitely fading knowing with a pointless 4 team playoff 124 teams are battling for the two spots that don't go to Clemson and Alabama. And about 100 of those 124 could go undefeated and probably still be left out.

The only thing partially saving it is that Penn State is one of those programs that at least has a shot if things go perfectly.

 

[Nitt1300]

The fact that there's articles saying there's only 12 teams left in the playoff race prove just how broken the system is. The polls are a joke. The system is a joke. Pretty much everything has to change.

College football used to be by far my favorite sport but it has failed to adapt. There's a handful of games that have any meaning every weekend. I still watch but interest is definitely fading knowing with a pointless 4 team playoff 124 teams are battling for the two spots that don't go to Clemson and Alabama. And about 100 of those 124 could go undefeated and probably still be left out.

The only thing partially saving it is that Penn State is one of those programs that at least has a shot if things go perfectly.

the NFL only has 32 teams- and how many make the playoffs?

the college "system" is absurd

 

[JusticeBarkley]

the NFL only has 32 teams- and how many make the playoffs?

the college "system" is absurd

And I was wrong. There's 130 teams now. So, that's about 3% of teams make the playoffs. Conference titles have no bearing on making the playoffs. Honestly, winning the CUSA or MWC or Sun Belt means what in the grand scheme of things? You get to go to a crappy bowl game unless you're deemed the top G5 team.

The FCS plays 12 game seasons with a 24 team playoff. They have 126 teams. The FBS needs to do better. I'm not saying 24 teams is the answer but 4 certainly is not.

 

[MohawkLion]

Preseason rankings are unfortunately meaningful considering they allow teams to over and underrated more easily. IMO, Florida looked absolutely horrendous in that opening game and totally undeserving of that 8 ranking. I think they’re gonna get beat up in the SEC, but the pollsters will keep them “high” because that’s just the SEC playing each other tough. Michigan’s preseason hype will likely keep them in the top 20. Without it they’d be hovering around 25 after that beat down and their struggle against Army.

 

[HazletonLion]

Was tired of Rod Gilmore, and his UCF should be a top ten team if they beat Pitt yesterday, their schedule is an absolute breeze, and isn't near any power 5 teams' schedule. The polls were also pushing Syracuse, Nebraska , and Texas A&M along with Michigan. But they were pushing Michigan as a shoe in for the playoffs, and i don't know why.

 

[OhioLion]

A former head coach, who happens to be the winningest coach in college football, once said the first poll should be released on the first Sunday of October.
Up to that point, nobody has s clear idea about the teams.
Let’s see where that would play out this year on the 6th.
OL

 

[Brian LB-U]

I despise Hairball and Michigan. Having said that, I think we ought to tap the brakes on crowning Wisconsin. I also disagree that Wisconsin has far more talent than Michigan. As the commentators noted at halftime, the Michigan defenders were constantly out of position. The so-called Michigan “genius” defensive coordinator also appeared to make no halftime adjustments.

As you point out, Wisconsin does a great job of recruiting players to suit its style of play. However, the ground and pound Wisconsin scheme is a limited one. It’s terrific when they can control the clock and get a lead. The real test will be, as it always seems to be, whether their QB is good enough to make plays when they fall behind by double digits.

Having said all that I absolutely loved the Michigan beat down yesterday and watched every glorious minute.

From what I saw yesterday, Michigan only has more talent than Wisconsin at one position group: receiver. My point wasn't to crown Wisconsin as a BCS title contender. My point was casual fans and the media tend to underrate Wisconsin every year for the reasons I stated. Michigan on the other hand tends to get a "popularity bump" IMHO. Been this way forever (for both teams).

 

[tboyer]

As you point out, Wisconsin does a great job of recruiting players to suit its style of play. However, the ground and pound Wisconsin scheme is a limited one. It’s terrific when they can control the clock and get a lead. The real test will be, as it always seems to be, whether their QB is good enough to make plays when they fall behind by double digits.

PSU beat Wisconsin last year the textbook way -- after Taylor's long td, Pry brought the safeties down and plugged the run in the middle of the field. They didn't have enough speed to run Taylor outside, and their receivers couldn't get open against PSU secondary, so they were done.

I am impressed with the new Wisconsin QB though. That makes them a much better team.

 

[tboyer]

WIsconsin has 9 four star or five star recuits on their roster. Michigan has 40 (and fwiw PSU has 50 according to 247) So hard to argue that Wisky has more raw talent.

From what I saw yesterday, Michigan only has more talent than Wisconsin at one position group: receiver. My point wasn't to crown Wisconsin as a BCS title contender. My point was casual fans and the media tend to underrate Wisconsin every year for the reasons I stated. Michigan on the other hand tends to get a "popularity bump" IMHO. Been this way forever (for both teams).

 

[Brian LB-U]

WIsconsin has 9 four star or five star recuits on their roster. Michigan has 40 (and fwiw PSU has 50 according to 247) So hard to argue that Wisky has more raw talent.

Not hard to argue if you objectively watched yesterday's game and assessed the talent based on what you saw on the field of play (as opposed to reading it on 24/7). I'm assuming you read my initial post that explains why native Wisconsin kids are historically underrated and simply disagree with the premise? That is fine, but you'll have to ask yourself how a major conference team full of 2 and 3 star players regularly finishes with double-digit wins and ranked in the final polls. Is it because they've gotten lucky and hired the best head coaches in college football in succession? 24/7 tells us they have very little talent so it has to be something.

 

[Beachwineguy]

I wouldn't say nobody expected anything from Wisc. Pretty much predicted to win the BIG west by everyone and are ranked 12. Michigan being shit every year is something everyone should see coming though. And they'll still probably beat us.

Not even close. Five different teams were picked to win the West. Nebraska had the most points, with Iowa second and Wisconsin third. Many of the National talking heads picked Nebraska. Selective amnesia strikes again.

 

[doofis]

In-season polls and rankings too...

Kent State beat Bowling Green 62-20, w 750 yards of offense, and DROPPED two spots in Sagarin and dropped 4 in the CBS 130.

 

[uhlerlion]

Isn’t that exactly what the “Final Four” Committee - which everyone, except the fans of four teams, also hates - does?

yes but dont go into week 6 with bias which is preseason rankings

that bias is inherently the problem For instance will they not say that Wisconsin beat a ranked Michigan team in their assessments as a quality win? Not that Wisky wasn't dominant but scUM isnt that good either so is it really a quality win as they will portray?

 

[JusticeBarkley]

Because some f***wad wrote some idiotic page-filler “article”...... to be read by an audience of mouth-breathing fan-boy morons?

Because, THAT?


LOL

Is the premise wrong? How many teams, right now, are realistic threats to make the playoffs? Honestly, 12 is probably too high.

Clemson is going to make the playoffs even if they lose a game and that includes the ACCCG. The SEC has 5 teams in the running (Bama, Georgia, LSU, Florida and Auburn) and 1 or 2 of them will make it. Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin can make it but likely have to be undefeated. Texas or Oklahoma could make it. Notre Dame could if they win out. Who else realistically is still alive? We're 4 weeks into the season and most teams are irrelevant. Just like nearly 100 start the year being irrelevant. We've added a few to that list (Michigan, Oregon, A&M, Utah, etc).

 

[JusticeBarkley]

yes but dont go into week 6 with bias which is preseason rankings

that bias is inherently the problem For instance will they not say that Wisconsin beat a ranked Michigan team in their assessments as a quality win? Not that Wisky wasn't dominant but scUM isnt that good either so is it really a quality win as they will portray?

The bias is still there. The bluebloods will always be given the benefit of the doubt while anyone else will be doubted. Beating Michigan the way Wisconsin did will be still seen as strong even if Michigan goes 7-5 or 6-6. It's just how the world of college football works.

 

[AWS1022]

Is the premise wrong? How many teams, right now, are realistic threats to make the playoffs? Honestly, 12 is probably too high.

Clemson is going to make the playoffs even if they lose a game and that includes the ACCCG. The SEC has 5 teams in the running (Bama, Georgia, LSU, Florida and Auburn) and 1 or 2 of them will make it. Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin can make it but likely have to be undefeated. Texas or Oklahoma could make it. Notre Dame could if they win out. Who else realistically is still alive? We're 4 weeks into the season and most teams are irrelevant. Just like nearly 100 start the year being irrelevant. We've added a few to that list (Michigan, Oregon, A&M, Utah, etc).

Clemson is going to make it as is Bama. There will be at least one more SEC team (LSU or GA), maybe both. If only one makes it then Oklahoma gets the fourth spot even with one loss due to their third straight Heisman winner. The only way anyone else makes it is to go undefeated. College football is entirely about perception which is why polls, talking heads, and recruiting rankings all matter.

 

[JusticeBarkley]

Clemson is going to make it as is Bama. There will be at least one more SEC team (LSU or GA), maybe both. If only one makes it then Oklahoma gets the fourth spot even with one loss due to their third straight Heisman winner. The only way anyone else makes it is to go undefeated. College football is entirely about perception which is why polls, talking heads, and recruiting rankings all matter.

Exactly which is hurting (if not ruining) the sport.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Is the premise wrong? How many teams, right now, are realistic threats to make the playoffs? Honestly, 12 is probably too high.

Clemson is going to make the playoffs even if they lose a game and that includes the ACCCG. The SEC has 5 teams in the running (Bama, Georgia, LSU, Florida and Auburn) and 1 or 2 of them will make it. Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin can make it but likely have to be undefeated. Texas or Oklahoma could make it. Notre Dame could if they win out. Who else realistically is still alive? We're 4 weeks into the season and most teams are irrelevant. Just like nearly 100 start the year being irrelevant. We've added a few to that list (Michigan, Oregon, A&M, Utah, etc).

The Phucking process is an ansolute Joke.

 

[Crusher1950]

The polls are a joke until at least week 5. Nothing but a popularity contest

 

[tboyer]

I just think it's interesting how a team made up of largely 2 star and 3 star players just whips a team where maybe half of the roster has NFL potential.

Who knows what stars are measuring but they're measuring something. They're certainly valid as a predictor of who is going to play in the NFL. A 5 star is something like 10 times more likely than a 2 star.

It's also very clear that recruiting is an essential ingredient of a playoff team. Teams made up of 3 star players can make the top 10 occasionally and go to major bowls, but they're never going to make the playoff.

But at the same time, there are so many schools out there that recruit extremely well but the recruiting doesn't play out on the field.

Not hard to argue if you objectively watched yesterday's game and assessed the talent based on what you saw on the field of play (as opposed to reading it on 24/7). I'm assuming you read my initial post that explains why native Wisconsin kids are historically underrated and simply disagree with the premise? That is fine, but you'll have to ask yourself how a major conference team full of 2 and 3 star players regularly finishes with double-digit wins and ranked in the final polls. Is it because they've gotten lucky and hired the best head coaches in college football in succession? 24/7 tells us they have very little talent so it has to be something.

 

[PennState_one]

The only thing that matters is where the teams are after the last week of regular season. Anything else is just media blabbing about whatever to keep your attention...

 

[JusticeBarkley]

The only thing that matters is where the teams are after the last week of regular season. Anything else is just media blabbing about whatever to keep your attention...

That doesn't even matter unless you're in the top 4 and if you aren't ranked high now you aren't going to reach the top 4 no matter how things play out.

 

[PennState_one]

That doesn't even matter unless you're in the top 4 and if you aren't ranked high now you aren't going to reach the top 4 no matter how things play out.

I'll take a top 20 this year. I don't think people realize how difficult it really is to reach the top 4...

 

[JusticeBarkley]

I'll take a top 20 this year. I don't think people realize how difficult it really is to reach the top 4...

I think people understand and that's the issue many of us have with the system. Penn State and USC not being in a playoff in 2016 was ridiculous.

Some poll ranking us in the top 20 after the season doesn't actually mean we were one of the best 20 teams. That's one of the issues.

 

[Howie'81]

Great things are expected from Michigan every year because there's so much talent on that roster. Every year, the sports experts suffer collective amnesia and forget that Michigan has underperformed its talent for like 48 of the last 50 years. They also forget that Harbaugh has not shown that he has any knack for managing a college football program other than recruiting.

Meanwhile, nobody expected Wisconsin to be any good this year. Which made absolutely no sense because the Badgers are maybe the most consistently good team in college football and they weren't good last year. If anybody reverts to the mean after a subpar season, it's Wisky. They won't be great, they'll be good. They'll win the west and play Ohio State in the championship and lose (respectably) just like they always do.

Ohio State already won the East? Gee, I hope to be as smart as you some day.

 

[JusticeBarkley]

A) Nonsense
B) Who cares?

Who cares? Shouldn't every football fan care as that's how you make the playoff? You just looking for participation trophies?

 

[Howie'81]

WIsconsin has 9 four star or five star recuits on their roster. Michigan has 40 (and fwiw PSU has 50 according to 247) So hard to argue that Wisky has more raw talent.

Love the star gazers.