Western Michigan at Michigan...

fballplaya · Aug 22, 2009

The more research I do....the more I am starting to really like WMU +11...

I have watched UM's practice that was on the Big Ten Network...I have read blogs and articles and spoke with people who live in Ann Arbor and follow the team religiously....I have crunched some stats and I am leaning heavy towards making WMU a play...

WMU has more experience then UM...and they aren't that far off in overall talent...and let's face it...Michigan has more questions and is under significantly more pressure to not just win, but blow WMU out...

Somethings to ponder I guess

Proman · Aug 22, 2009

It all depends on how good the new QB Forcier is. Supposedly, he is the real deal. Can't see Rodriguez taking this game lightly after the embarrassment of the Toledo loss last year.

NDReece · Aug 22, 2009

I actually tend to disagree with you. I hate UofM, but I think they will definitely be improved over last season, especially on offense. With a year under their belt with RichRod's offense I think they may surprise a few people.

Also, you need to realize that WMU is returning only 3 starters on D. There were not a good defense last year, and I think they will struggle mightily against UofM's style of offense.

WMU should be able to put up some points (Hiller is a very good QB), but I wouldn't be surprised if UofM covers this #.

With all that being said, there is nothing that would make me happier than seeing UofM lose another home game to a MAC school.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

SoonerBS · Aug 22, 2009

I'll be on Michigan . . . .

MSUSpartans · Aug 22, 2009

fballplaya said:
and they aren't that far off in overall talent

hno:

TOOTIGHT · Aug 22, 2009

If you have really studied the war in the trenches and feel there's a mismatch, that would be the only way I would consider taking UM. One thing is for sure, RR won't let off the gas if there is any chance to make this win look good to the Alums. Some see good value in UM but this is a no play for me.

SoonerBS,
What's your opinion on this since you like UM?

GoSooners · Aug 22, 2009

I have a lean to Michigan here. But I want to research this game and hear a little more news on these teams before I make a decision. All I can say at this point is by past forumulas that I've looked at with these non-bcs teams going up against BCS conference schools is bringing back just 3 starters on a defense that wasn't all that great against the run in the first place is NOT a good thing. Western Michigan was the most EXPERIENCED team in the country last season and couldn't stay on the field against Nebraska in their first game as +14 dogs and lost by 23. And they are getting even less points against Michigan this year. I think you either have to lean to Michigan or stay away from the game. I see no really good argument to take WM when they aren't bringing much of a defense with them to Ann Arbor.

fballplaya · Aug 22, 2009

MSUSpartans said:
hno:

You can do

hno: all you want...but in all seriousness it really isn't that absurd of a statement....Michigan is starting a Fr QB...advantage WMU. This could change, however as of this moment this is not debatable...

I expect UM to control the LOS and establish the run....however, there are two things Rich Rodriguez teams have ALWAYS been notorius for....#1 turning the ball over....and #2 penalties....even at WVU, his Mountaineer teams were always at the top for most penalized teams in the country....experienced teams like WMU take advantage of turnovers and stupid penalties...by no means am I calling for a WMU upset...however I can see this game being close throughout and Michigan winning in the end...maybe somewhere in the 31-23 range...

Buckeyemac · Aug 22, 2009

I look for Michigan to run the ball down WM throat as WM D-line is smallish. The Wolves have a dual threat QB and while only a Frosh he is a rising star. WM's QB Hiller had ACL surgery in January and had a very limited spring and he will not be up to speed Sept 5th. Rod won't let another MAC team upset his Wolves in Ann Arbor. Michigan does have Notre Dame the following week but I suspect this Wolverine team will eat horse meat for supper.
Best Wishes
Buckeyemac (<)<

trentmoney · Aug 22, 2009

fballplaya said:
You can do hno: all you want...but in all seriousness it really isn't that absurd of a statement....Michigan is starting a Fr QB...advantage WMU. This could change, however as of this moment this is not debatable...

I expect UM to control the LOS and establish the run....however, there are two things Rich Rodriguez teams have ALWAYS been notorius for....#1 turning the ball over....and #2 penalties....even at WVU, his Mountaineer teams were always at the top for most penalized teams in the country....experienced teams like WMU take advantage of turnovers and stupid penalties...by no means am I calling for a WMU upset...however I can see this game being close throughout and Michigan winning in the end...maybe somewhere in the 31-23 range...

i had to comment because this is about as wrong a piece of info as you can possibly have in regards to turnovers

after his first season @ WVU, his teams were +19, 16, 3, 14, 7, and 13 in turnovers each season, and it wasn't because of defense!!! pat white was there for only 3 seasons so don't say it was because of him...show me another program in the country that was positive turnover 6 straight years, 4 of those double-digits, because i don't feel like looking thru 118 other teams because i'm pretty sure what the answer is...

SoonerBS · Aug 22, 2009

TOOTIGHT said:
If you have really studied the war in the trenches and feel there's a mismatch, that would be the only way I would consider taking UM. One thing is for sure, RR won't let off the gas if there is any chance to make this win look good to the Alums. Some see good value in UM but this is a no play for me.

SoonerBS,
What's your opinion on this since you like UM?

We all know how Michigan's season went last year and I expected it to be bad on offense because they were playing a completely new system compared to what they were use to in previous years. Learning a system like RR coaches on offense takes two things, experience and a QB to run it. Word coming out of camp so far is proving that Michigan has both this year. RR has said that their timing is vastly improved and the players are playing like they know what to expect offensively. Also, they don't just have one QB that can run this offense now, they have two QBs. Denard Robinson has been having a better Fall camp than Forcier so far and RR has even commented on Nick Sheridan looking better at running the system this year. I think the offense is going to be vastly improved over last year's and they will score a lot of points in this game.

My question about this team is how will the defense do? Last year was a surprise to me because they had talent, but they did not play well. I THINK RR solved that problem whenever he fired his DC and hired Robinson after the season. Robinson is a good DC and should handle the talent he has on defense a lot better this year. I think the defensive line is still weak, but all the other units should be decent.

Remember this stat: In his first year with West Virginia, RR went 3-8 SU & 4-7 ATS with his new system and players. With less talented players than he has now, in his second season at WVU he went 9-4 SU and 9-3 ATS!! I see a similar situation to that happening this year and it starts with this game.

Look, guys, I'm not going to spend a lot of time on WMU, but to say that they are a MAC team. It has been my practice to fade the MAC teams against BCS teams in right situations and make money. Michigan needs to get off to a big start and WMU is the patsy. WMU does not have the speed to keep up with Michigan's faster and stronger athletes on either side of the line and Michigan will be hungry for a blowout here. I think they get it.

DHOS · Aug 23, 2009

OVER, OVER, OVER

The defense is just horrible. Really, really bad. This game could climb into the seventies. UM has walk-ons in the two deep and not because they earned it...

goblue12 · Aug 23, 2009

I haven't met many people who believe that they will cover this spread.

The consensus is "If it was 7, I would give Michigan a good shot. But 11.5? Not with WMU returning their QB. They've got a good program over in Kalamazoo who is going to give us a dogfight."

Sharp money is on the Broncos. Line has moved 1.5 points at Pinny.

FairWarning · Aug 23, 2009

This MAC team has won at Iowa and beat Illinois in Detroit the last couple of years.

JazzMan · Aug 23, 2009

Good Stuff

To those who contributed to this thread - Good info - this is exactly what this Form is and should be about. A good solid solid exchange of views to challenge you own view.
The game: GoSooners spells it out very well. You play UM or walk the game. :toast:

letsgohoosiers · Aug 23, 2009

FairWarning said:
This MAC team has won at Iowa and beat Illinois in Detroit the last couple of years.

They also won at Virginia. They're a BCS killer.

I think the MSU game later in the season is a better bet.

HEYMIKEYHELIKESIT · Aug 23, 2009

Freshman QB for Michigan in an OPENER.

Hmm...that's enough for me to take the other side and the 11.

You have a freshman qb in a still growing program. forget the M name...the program is in turmoil and still growing.....

Western is experienced...and well diciplined.

I see WM winning possible...

But Mich will win...23-20

Take the 11

sdf · Aug 23, 2009

Michigan seems to be going with a 3 man QB rotation. That may not help in game 1

fballplaya · Aug 23, 2009

sdf said:
Michigan seems to be going with a 3 man QB rotation. That may not help in game 1

Thanks to everyone for their feedback and info in this thread...

I did see that R-Rod had mentioned the 3-headed QB rotation...

I watched UM's practice on the Big Ten network and R-Rod mentioned Denard Robinson on several occasions, hardly mentioning Forcier at all...which makes this announcement not suprising...

I guess if this game is such a strong play, how come the line is only 11?

NDIrish3232 · Aug 23, 2009

Western Michigan is going to give them all they can handle. I think this one comes down to the wire. Michigan has a look ahead with Notre Dame coming to town the next week. WMU has 7 offensive returning starters along with Tim Hiller their QB who is very good. I think this one comes down to the wire just like the last two home openers they dropped. LY to Utah, and the year before to Appalachian State. Western Michigan should be able to score, they should keep the game close.