B1G Championship Game vs Iowa

[Mitchrapp]

They better be amped. Just as much. It gets you in the playoffs.

 

[tinselwolverine]

They only need to look at MSU losing to am inferior team the week after beating UM to recognize how easy those things happen.

Absolutely have to stop the Iowa run game.

The Iowa tackles are both freshmen who have struggled in pass protection. Ojabo and Hutch should feast on Iowa, but they absolutely need to prevent Iowa from running well enough to have short 3rd downs. I worry about this because they have struggled against the run up the middle, which is Iowa's strength as their center is going to be a starter in the NFL next year from what I hear. The DTs need to have a really strong showing.

Obviously Iowa can be beaten. Need it to be a blowout level win IMO. IF Bama beats Georgia things will be tight. Sure, beating O$U looked awesome, but that was last week. Gotta really destroy Iowa, and if that happens maybe UM will be no lower than the #2 seed. If it is a tight game, they could drop to 3, 4, or even 5 depending on how others do. You really are only as good as your last game in this situation. Cincy and OkSt having dominating wins while UM limps to a 'bad' win, coupled with Bama winning a close game over Georgia... UM might find themselves on the outside. Wouldn't be the first time Michigan got screwed over like that, it has happened several times. Hell, even '97 should not have been a split title but because the Rose Bowl was close down to the end while Nebraska won big caused that split to become possible.

So, IMO, UM needs to not just win like they did against Nebraska, I think they need to win more like they did vs Washington and O$U where they completely overpowered their opponent and won in convincing fashion that left no room for doubt.

And one can claim there is no way the #2 team can win and then drop out of the playoff, but I'm old enough to know it CAN happen and there are voters who love to vote against UM using the smallest of possible excuses.

Bama and Georgia are already both in.

If Michigan wins the B1G, the Bama Georgia loser can?t be any more in than they already are, the loser can only drop out.

No B1G team that was already in the top 4 going into the championship game has won and not continued to the playoffs.

 

[thewolverines24]

They better be amped. Just as much. It gets you in the playoffs.

And the first B1G title in 17 years

 

[bphillips4gg]

There's absolutely no chance Michigan falls out with a win. None. The only team in the current top 4 that can still get screwed after a win is Cincinnati and the only way that happens is if Bama wins and OSU beats Baylor by a ton.

My best guess at the playoff field is UGA, UM, UC & Oklahoma State, in that order.

 

[zyxt9]

There's absolutely no chance Michigan falls out with a win. None. The only team in the current top 4 that can still get screwed after a win is Cincinnati and the only way that happens is if Bama wins and OSU beats Baylor by a ton.

My best guess at the playoff field is UGA, UM, UC & Oklahoma State, in that order.

Bama beats Georgia by less than 7, Georgia gets in as the 4 seed while Bama is #1.

Cincy and OkSt win by 30+.

UM wins barely after Iowa controls the game but misses a FG from close range that would have won the game.

That is a scenario where UM wins but POSSIBLY is voted out of the playoffs as most consider it a bad/lucky win unworthy of being considered legit despite the W.

Games like that happen. And UM has a storied history of being fucked by committees and voters.

You can claim UM would still be in, all I am saying is that is a risky position and I would be more surprised UM stays in the Playoff than being voted out due to the degree of anti-UM establishment that has been around for decades.

 

[rumseyhouse77]

I can tell you that Iowa fans are pretty boorish in their predictions. Just scrolling through a few forums and around 4 out of every 5 posts are predicting a win and the other ones are very concerned about Hutch and Ojabo against their OTs who are apparently not good. The vast majority predicting a win are banking on a Michigan letdown/hangover whereas the ones predicting a loss seem to be a little more analytical in their approach.

Then again, the same posters predicting a win are also the ones trying to make the case that the B1G West is the superior division, soooo... Ya.

Ha! I was thinking that perhaps a rearrangement of the teams in the east and west would make sense. All the good teams are in the east. No team from the west has won the title since the rearrangement from the Leaders and Legends era. Of course, OSU has dominated these years.

I am a little worried about a let down after the big win on Saturday. But in watching the videos on the locker room after the game I think this team has bigger goals in mind. I expect they will be ready to play on Saturday and in the playoffs.

 

[bphillips4gg]

Zyxt, dude. The committee has a history of saying that G5 teams don't belong and they will use that to keep michigan in the top 4 over Cincinnati. Guaranteed.

And I don't see Bama winning.

 

[mhughes0021]

I see it being a closer game than the vegas spread. Iowa played and beat alot of the same teams we beat this year by similar scores. Iowa's offense seems to have sputtered as of late. Hutch and Ojabo keeping ruining offenses and we should be in a good spot.

 

[bphillips4gg]

If Michigan plays to their potential they win by 20. If they're leaving plays on the field Iowa is the type of team that can make them pay. I have no idea what to expect because Iowa is like MSU in that regardless of who is the better team they always play is tough. This team seems to be on a mission though so I think they'll get it done. Iowa has the worst offense in the power 5, as good as their defense is our offense is going to score.

 

[Michchamp]

I don't know if I'd write Bama off yet.

Everyone has been so busy slobbering over how great UGA is, they haven't noticed that they've played a pretty weak schedule. They inched by a lousy Clemson team 10-3, and then got their two toughest opponents at home (Arkansas and Kentucky). they didn't play anyone who could've beaten them on the road, except maybe a 6-5 Auburn team.

I wouldn't be surprised if Alabama kicks their ass. or at least gives them a game that goes down to the wire.

the SEC doesn't actually look great this year... and so If we make it in, our biggest advantage will be that every dingleberry in the country will be predicting we get slaughtered by Alabama or Georgia.

 

[tinselwolverine]

I don't know if I'd write Bama off yet.

Everyone has been so busy slobbering over how great UGA is, they haven't noticed that they've played a pretty weak schedule. They inched by a lousy Clemson team 10-3, and then got their two toughest opponents at home (Arkansas and Kentucky). they didn't play anyone who could've beaten them on the road, except maybe a 6-5 Auburn team.

I wouldn't be surprised if Alabama kicks their ass. or at least gives them a game that goes down to the wire.

the SEC doesn't actually look great this year... and so If we make it in, our biggest advantage will be that every dingleberry in the country will be predicting we get slaughtered by Alabama or Georgia.

Except for betting, how is that an advantage?

Since when has what any or every onlooker dingleberry thinks ever made a difference in anything?

 

[Gulo Blue]

Except for betting, how is that an advantage?

Since when has what any or every onlooker dingleberry thinks ever made a difference in anything?

Not counting football...since we had a vote...or if you're more jaded, since we started voting with our dollars.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Not counting football...since we had a vote...or if you're more jaded, since we started voting with our dollars.

Sure, sure?

I was counting only football.

We talk about dingleberries six day a week and twice on Sunday on other things.

 

[bphillips4gg]

I mean, I took it as a good sign that nobody was giving us a chance Saturday. Most upsets seem to happen when the dogs are getting no love. Think the Giants over the 18-0 Patriots, OSU in the first CFP when everyone thought Bama would roll them. Everyone is writing off anyone playing Georgia, but who have they played? Clemson?

 

[Michlady]

Say just keep the foot on the pedal. No let down

 

[biggunsbob]

They only need to look at MSU losing to am inferior team the week after beating UM to recognize how easy those things happen.

Absolutely have to stop the Iowa run game.

The Iowa tackles are both freshmen who have struggled in pass protection. Ojabo and Hutch should feast on Iowa, but they absolutely need to prevent Iowa from running well enough to have short 3rd downs. I worry about this because they have struggled against the run up the middle, which is Iowa's strength as their center is going to be a starter in the NFL next year from what I hear. The DTs need to have a really strong showing.

Obviously Iowa can be beaten. Need it to be a blowout level win IMO. IF Bama beats Georgia things will be tight. Sure, beating O$U looked awesome, but that was last week. Gotta really destroy Iowa, and if that happens maybe UM will be no lower than the #2 seed. If it is a tight game, they could drop to 3, 4, or even 5 depending on how others do. You really are only as good as your last game in this situation. Cincy and OkSt having dominating wins while UM limps to a 'bad' win, coupled with Bama winning a close game over Georgia... UM might find themselves on the outside. Wouldn't be the first time Michigan got screwed over like that, it has happened several times. Hell, even '97 should not have been a split title but because the Rose Bowl was close down to the end while Nebraska won big caused that split to become possible.

So, IMO, UM needs to not just win like they did against Nebraska, I think they need to win more like they did vs Washington and O$U where they completely overpowered their opponent and won in convincing fashion that left no room for doubt.

And one can claim there is no way the #2 team can win and then drop out of the playoff, but I'm old enough to know it CAN happen and there are voters who love to vote against UM using the smallest of possible excuses.

They are not falling out of the playoff even if it?s a 1 point win. Not a chance . That said my heart could not take a close game. Hopefully they refocus and play well.

 

[biggunsbob]

Btw the reason Michigan won?t fall out is because of Tv Viewership. Michigan and Msu drew a tv rating of 5.8. I think i heard on the radio today Michigan and Osu pulled a 9 something. I think that is Fox highest number (not sure). Not a chance Cincinnati or Oklahoma state get picked over Michigan if we can win against Iowa.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Pigs will fly over frozen Hell before Michigan wins the B1G championship game and does not make the CFP playoffs.

 

[Michchamp]

Except for betting, how is that an advantage?

Since when has what any or every onlooker dingleberry thinks ever made a difference in anything?

If a lot of the fans are thinking it and saying it, inevitably some of the players, and maybe even their coaches, are thinking it too.

it's only an advantage on the field in that it may be an indicator of our opponent's mindset.

 

[biggunsbob]

I?m worried. Every fan (not on this board) seems to think is going to be easy Saturday and Iowa is going to roll over. We better be ready because Iowa does have a good defense. Damn I hope we can get a lead on them and force them away from running the ball.

I watched some of the Iowa comeback against Nebraska. They like throwing to the backs out of the backfield and they like using the fullback and I am Worried about delay handoffs. That center they have is really good.