Fumbling, dropping passes, and dropping interceptions sounds more like poor execution than bad luck. I'll give you slipping and getting hurt.
Poll: Number of wins in next 3 games? **Recap
- Thread starter royboy
- Start date
dropped passes and Ints I guess probably should go on the players. but you have to admit dropping a game ending and winning INT. is bad luck.
I think this team is reeling a little bit since Ohio state. I want to think they can regain some of that fire and light up Iowa. If they do light up Iowa they will have the confidence and momentum back and Michigan will be a barn burner. I am not worried about Wisconsin, they are not that good and never have much luck here. I say 2 wins and a toss up. I have to think at some point this team breaks thru in a tough road game. Might as well be now. 3 - 0.
(Note: my predictions have been as good as our clock management)
(Note: my predictions have been as good as our clock management)
Consecutive wins against three top-20 teams, all of them very physical, would be a huge ask...even without the psychological baggage of those two heartbreakers a few weeks ago.
At this point, I'd be happy to win two of those games and then finish the year at 9-3, looking at either the Citrus or Outback on New Year's Day.
If the officiating is fair and the guys have their heads screwed on straight, make some plays, and perform at the level of the team that opened the year with four straight victories, to include a blow-out of Pitt, then we win two of three, and even all three is a possibility -- though unlikely.
If we're still hung over from Ohio State and Michigan State, and play like the team that blew those games late and then couldn't put Indiana away, we lose two -- and quite possibly all three.
So which version will show up? I'm betting on Team A, meaning we'll beat Iowa, lose to Michigan, and then beat Wisconsin. After that, two wins to mop up the season, followed by a bowl victory and likely pre-season top-12 ranking for 2019.
All in all, not bad. Coming into the season, we dreamed of more, but still -- not bad at all.
All that said, I'm mentally bracing myself for Team B, just in case. Stocking up on an assortment of alcoholic beverages, which I will begin to consume around 3:00 PM on Saturday. That way, if things go wrong and the season goes up in smoke, I'll be suitably numbed for the rest of the evening.
At this point, I'd be happy to win two of those games and then finish the year at 9-3, looking at either the Citrus or Outback on New Year's Day.
If the officiating is fair and the guys have their heads screwed on straight, make some plays, and perform at the level of the team that opened the year with four straight victories, to include a blow-out of Pitt, then we win two of three, and even all three is a possibility -- though unlikely.
If we're still hung over from Ohio State and Michigan State, and play like the team that blew those games late and then couldn't put Indiana away, we lose two -- and quite possibly all three.
So which version will show up? I'm betting on Team A, meaning we'll beat Iowa, lose to Michigan, and then beat Wisconsin. After that, two wins to mop up the season, followed by a bowl victory and likely pre-season top-12 ranking for 2019.
All in all, not bad. Coming into the season, we dreamed of more, but still -- not bad at all.
All that said, I'm mentally bracing myself for Team B, just in case. Stocking up on an assortment of alcoholic beverages, which I will begin to consume around 3:00 PM on Saturday. That way, if things go wrong and the season goes up in smoke, I'll be suitably numbed for the rest of the evening.
Something that shouldn’t be forgotten here, Trace certainly remembers his last trip to Ann Arbor and I am betting we get a memorable performance out of him in this game.
Looking back at results of last 3 games vs the poll:
- 54.9% of respondents chose 2 or 3
- 45.1% of respondents chose 1 or 0 -- there is a strong streak of pessimists here
- Wins over Iowa and Wisconsin seem earned, and the Michigan loss was somewhat expected, though probably not to the degree
- The games highlighted an improving defense with some emerging stars and an inconsistent offense
- Single biggest storyline? probably Trace's struggles, at least partly due to injury
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