[TreesAndBirds]

Harbaugh vs Shaw.

Well not really a prediction (out of respect for the spirits that control football games) and of course I'd rather that we're in the play off, but it would sure be fun. And looks a lot more possible than a few weeks ago. And something tells me the Rose Bowl committee wouldnt mind seeing it also.

[TreesAndBirds]

Harbaugh vs Shaw.

Well not really a prediction (out of respect for the spirits that control football games) and of course I'd rather that we're in the play off, but it would sure be fun. And looks a lot more possible than a few weeks ago. And something tells me the Rose Bowl committee wouldnt mind seeing it also.

[Hank 91]

I think the only way Michigan gets to the Rose Bowl is if Ohio State and Michigan State both make the playoffs. Possible, I suppose, but unlikely.

[Hank 91]

I think the only way Michigan gets to the Rose Bowl is if Ohio State and Michigan State both make the playoffs. Possible, I suppose, but unlikely.

[Rally]

I think the only way Michigan gets to the Rose Bowl is if Ohio State and Michigan State both make the playoffs. Possible, I suppose, but unlikely.

Or neither, Michigan wins conference, misses playoffs.

[Rally]

I think the only way Michigan gets to the Rose Bowl is if Ohio State and Michigan State both make the playoffs. Possible, I suppose, but unlikely.

Or neither, Michigan wins conference, misses playoffs.

[Hank 91]

True -- hadn't thought of that possibility.

[Hank 91]

True -- hadn't thought of that possibility.

[Rally]

True -- hadn't thought of that possibility.

Why not?  The year's been crazy already.

[Rally]

True -- hadn't thought of that possibility.

Why not?  The year's been crazy already.

[winflop]

Harbaugh vs Shaw.

Well not really a prediction (out of respect for the spirits that control football games) and of course I'd rather that we're in the play off, but it would sure be fun. And looks a lot more possible than a few weeks ago. And something tells me the Rose Bowl committee wouldnt mind seeing it also.

I think Stanford vs. Northwestern is more likely.  Northwestern doesn't play either MSU or tOSU so it's conceivable they will win their division if they can win in the big house.

[winflop]

Harbaugh vs Shaw.

Well not really a prediction (out of respect for the spirits that control football games) and of course I'd rather that we're in the play off, but it would sure be fun. And looks a lot more possible than a few weeks ago. And something tells me the Rose Bowl committee wouldnt mind seeing it also.

I think Stanford vs. Northwestern is more likely.  Northwestern doesn't play either MSU or tOSU so it's conceivable they will win their division if they can win in the big house.

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

[quote author=Hank 91 link=topic=12951.msg131277#msg131277 date=1443394447]
I think the only way Michigan gets to the Rose Bowl is if Ohio State and Michigan State both make the playoffs. Possible, I suppose, but unlikely.

Or neither, Michigan wins conference, misses playoffs.
[/quote]

For Michigan to win the Big Ten they will likely have victories over Ohio State and Michigan State, with their only loss being by a touchdown to a potential Power 5 conference champion.  They will be in the playoffs.

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

[quote author=Hank 91 link=topic=12951.msg131277#msg131277 date=1443394447]
I think the only way Michigan gets to the Rose Bowl is if Ohio State and Michigan State both make the playoffs. Possible, I suppose, but unlikely.

Or neither, Michigan wins conference, misses playoffs.
[/quote]

For Michigan to win the Big Ten they will likely have victories over Ohio State and Michigan State, with their only loss being by a touchdown to a potential Power 5 conference champion.  They will be in the playoffs.

[TreesAndBirds]

I think the Rose Bowl committee would prefer not to have a regular season rematch of NW vs Stan, so if Stanford is the logical Pac12 team, and UM beats NW and MSU (both home games), but loses to tOSU, I  think the committee goes for UM and Stanford, with tOSU in the play off.  Lots of "ifs", but I'm rooting for it.

Of course Stanford and NW would have a fun "Nerd Bowl" storyline.

But right now, I'll settle for us just winning next week.

[TreesAndBirds]

I think the Rose Bowl committee would prefer not to have a regular season rematch of NW vs Stan, so if Stanford is the logical Pac12 team, and UM beats NW and MSU (both home games), but loses to tOSU, I  think the committee goes for UM and Stanford, with tOSU in the play off.  Lots of "ifs", but I'm rooting for it.

Of course Stanford and NW would have a fun "Nerd Bowl" storyline.

But right now, I'll settle for us just winning next week.

[Rally]

[quote author=ferrari link=topic=12951.msg131278#msg131278 date=1443394919]
[quote author=Hank 91 link=topic=12951.msg131277#msg131277 date=1443394447]
I think the only way Michigan gets to the Rose Bowl is if Ohio State and Michigan State both make the playoffs. Possible, I suppose, but unlikely.

Or neither, Michigan wins conference, misses playoffs.
[/quote]

NOT SO FAST!  Michigan suffers an improbable loss, as do Ohio State and MSU.  Michigan still wins conference, somehow.  Big 10 left out.  As consolation Committee sends conference champion to Rose Bowl.  We win.  Harbaugh emerges from coma two weeks later asking, "What's your deal?" Over and over again, and, "Bo?  Is that you?  I'm sorry, Bo, really sorry."

For Michigan to win the Big Ten they will likely have victories over Ohio State and Michigan State, with their only loss being by a touchdown to a potential Power 5 conference champion.  They will be in the playoffs.
[/quote]

[Rally]

[quote author=ferrari link=topic=12951.msg131278#msg131278 date=1443394919]
[quote author=Hank 91 link=topic=12951.msg131277#msg131277 date=1443394447]
I think the only way Michigan gets to the Rose Bowl is if Ohio State and Michigan State both make the playoffs. Possible, I suppose, but unlikely.

Or neither, Michigan wins conference, misses playoffs.
[/quote]

NOT SO FAST!  Michigan suffers an improbable loss, as do Ohio State and MSU.  Michigan still wins conference, somehow.  Big 10 left out.  As consolation Committee sends conference champion to Rose Bowl.  We win.  Harbaugh emerges from coma two weeks later asking, "What's your deal?" Over and over again, and, "Bo?  Is that you?  I'm sorry, Bo, really sorry."

For Michigan to win the Big Ten they will likely have victories over Ohio State and Michigan State, with their only loss being by a touchdown to a potential Power 5 conference champion.  They will be in the playoffs.
[/quote]

[French Rage]

I, for one, will be happy with any opponent if we are playing in the Rose Bowl.  ;D

[French Rage]

I, for one, will be happy with any opponent if we are playing in the Rose Bowl.  ;D

[BostonCard]

What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible; now we are worried about our Rose Bowl opponent?

We still have a lot to prove, and as of right now I am thinking a Holiday or Alamo bowl is more probable than a Rose Bowl.  Maybe if we get past Arizona and UCLA I'll allow myself to start thinking Rose Bowl.

BC

[BostonCard]

What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible; now we are worried about our Rose Bowl opponent?

We still have a lot to prove, and as of right now I am thinking a Holiday or Alamo bowl is more probable than a Rose Bowl.  Maybe if we get past Arizona and UCLA I'll allow myself to start thinking Rose Bowl.

BC

[winflop]

What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible; now we are worried about our Rose Bowl opponent?

We still have a lot to prove, and as of right now I am thinking a Holiday or Alamo bowl is more probable than a Rose Bowl.  Maybe if we get past Arizona and UCLA I'll allow myself to start thinking Rose Bowl.

BC

Agreed but it's still fun to think that way

[winflop]

What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible; now we are worried about our Rose Bowl opponent?

We still have a lot to prove, and as of right now I am thinking a Holiday or Alamo bowl is more probable than a Rose Bowl.  Maybe if we get past Arizona and UCLA I'll allow myself to start thinking Rose Bowl.

BC

Agreed but it's still fun to think that way

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

[quote author=Boston Card link=topic=12951.msg131300#msg131300 date=1443401449]
What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible; now we are worried about our Rose Bowl opponent?

We still have a lot to prove, and as of right now I am thinking a Holiday or Alamo bowl is more probable than a Rose Bowl.  Maybe if we get past Arizona and UCLA I'll allow myself to start thinking Rose Bowl.

BC

Agreed but it's still fun to think that way
[/quote]

Sure.  We as fans getting ahead of ourselves won't effect the team's performance, so let's dream a little.  The players need to take it one week at a time.  We can dream big.

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

[quote author=Boston Card link=topic=12951.msg131300#msg131300 date=1443401449]
What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible; now we are worried about our Rose Bowl opponent?

We still have a lot to prove, and as of right now I am thinking a Holiday or Alamo bowl is more probable than a Rose Bowl.  Maybe if we get past Arizona and UCLA I'll allow myself to start thinking Rose Bowl.

BC

Agreed but it's still fun to think that way
[/quote]

Sure.  We as fans getting ahead of ourselves won't effect the team's performance, so let's dream a little.  The players need to take it one week at a time.  We can dream big.

[Nan3cy]

I remember being in the old stadium in 1999 to watch Stanford play WSU. It was a fun game to watch; IIRC Stanford scored every way possible: offense, defense, special teams. Toward the end of the game a guy a few rows below us stood up and hollered, "We're going to the ROSE BOWL!!" Since this was a very short time after the 69-17 shellacking at Texas, everyone got a good laugh out of it. And the following Jan. 1...

[Nan3cy]

I remember being in the old stadium in 1999 to watch Stanford play WSU. It was a fun game to watch; IIRC Stanford scored every way possible: offense, defense, special teams. Toward the end of the game a guy a few rows below us stood up and hollered, "We're going to the ROSE BOWL!!" Since this was a very short time after the 69-17 shellacking at Texas, everyone got a good laugh out of it. And the following Jan. 1...

[yvonne]

What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible; now we are worried about our Rose Bowl opponent?

We still have a lot to prove, and as of right now I am thinking a Holiday or Alamo bowl is more probable than a Rose Bowl.  Maybe if we get past Arizona and UCLA I'll allow myself to start thinking Rose Bowl.

BC

I'm with BC. Not only do some of our opponents look impressive, but we have a young defense with a gimpy line. Play out the string, and see where we land, but the second game in conference play is MUCH too early to start Rose Bowl plans.

Ps: I find it amusing that some of the biggest Shawtagonist are the biggest bandwaggers.

[yvonne]

What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible; now we are worried about our Rose Bowl opponent?

We still have a lot to prove, and as of right now I am thinking a Holiday or Alamo bowl is more probable than a Rose Bowl.  Maybe if we get past Arizona and UCLA I'll allow myself to start thinking Rose Bowl.

BC

I'm with BC. Not only do some of our opponents look impressive, but we have a young defense with a gimpy line. Play out the string, and see where we land, but the second game in conference play is MUCH too early to start Rose Bowl plans.

Ps: I find it amusing that some of the biggest Shawtagonist are the biggest bandwaggers.

[CornFed]

What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible;

And with very good reason.  It wasn't the general perspective that we lost to a cream puff.  It was the manner in which we lost.  We were inept in every aspect of that game (except punting as I recall).  We were incompetent, uncoordinated, uninspired and un-just-about-everything in that game.  My reaction wasn't that we lost to a horrible team.  I didn't see how NW pummeled us, because all I could react to was our ineffectiveness and confusion.  I was heartbroken that we could have been so apparently wrong about the potential of our team.  As it turns out, luckily, we were wrong about being wrong.

[CornFed]

What a difference three weeks makes.  After Northwestern, many people were wondering whether we would muster the wins to become bowl eligible;

And with very good reason.  It wasn't the general perspective that we lost to a cream puff.  It was the manner in which we lost.  We were inept in every aspect of that game (except punting as I recall).  We were incompetent, uncoordinated, uninspired and un-just-about-everything in that game.  My reaction wasn't that we lost to a horrible team.  I didn't see how NW pummeled us, because all I could react to was our ineffectiveness and confusion.  I was heartbroken that we could have been so apparently wrong about the potential of our team.  As it turns out, luckily, we were wrong about being wrong.

[washingtonismoney]

FWIW, not all statistical systems out there -- and I'll pause for CTCard's throat-clearing groan...and he's done -- provide as clean a prediction as ESPN's, but both sides of the debate will find comfort in their numbers.

ESPN estimates that Stanford has a 31% of winning the conference -- second behind SC's 35%. That's probably due to ESPN believing the South is more rugged than the North. And the other statistical ranking systems have similar views in terms of their personal rankings.

So I would say there's very good reason for optimism, but a lot of pessimism. (Not least: have you seen the injury report for Stanford?)

[washingtonismoney]

FWIW, not all statistical systems out there -- and I'll pause for CTCard's throat-clearing groan...and he's done -- provide as clean a prediction as ESPN's, but both sides of the debate will find comfort in their numbers.

ESPN estimates that Stanford has a 31% of winning the conference -- second behind SC's 35%. That's probably due to ESPN believing the South is more rugged than the North. And the other statistical ranking systems have similar views in terms of their personal rankings.

So I would say there's very good reason for optimism, but a lot of pessimism. (Not least: have you seen the injury report for Stanford?)

[81alum]

We have yet to beat a really good spread team.  Spread teams, by forcing the line to run sideline to sideline, will put a particularly tough strain on the defensive line.  Our thinness there will be dangerous, and every offensive coordinator with the proper tools will test it. 

I really do fear all of our coming opponents.  UCLA looms particularly large, but even an unheralded team like Washington State could get its spread offense pumped up at home to challenge us, and Oregon has a very long time to get itself back together before we face them.

For us to reach for those dreams, the offense needs to keep doing what it has been doing and Hogan, McCaffrey, and the offensive line need to stay healthy.  We need to figure out how to nurse our defensive line through the coming gauntlet--something that looks especially precarious just now.  And the secondary needs to show it can disrupt the spread passing game.  And we will have to win the Big Game--which now begins to look like a serious game and not a romp for the first time in a while. 

[81alum]

We have yet to beat a really good spread team.  Spread teams, by forcing the line to run sideline to sideline, will put a particularly tough strain on the defensive line.  Our thinness there will be dangerous, and every offensive coordinator with the proper tools will test it. 

I really do fear all of our coming opponents.  UCLA looms particularly large, but even an unheralded team like Washington State could get its spread offense pumped up at home to challenge us, and Oregon has a very long time to get itself back together before we face them.

For us to reach for those dreams, the offense needs to keep doing what it has been doing and Hogan, McCaffrey, and the offensive line need to stay healthy.  We need to figure out how to nurse our defensive line through the coming gauntlet--something that looks especially precarious just now.  And the secondary needs to show it can disrupt the spread passing game.  And we will have to win the Big Game--which now begins to look like a serious game and not a romp for the first time in a while. 

[washingtonismoney]

We have yet to beat a really good spread team. 

SC doesn't count?

[washingtonismoney]

We have yet to beat a really good spread team. 

SC doesn't count?

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

Ps: I find it amusing that some of the biggest Shawtagonist are the biggest bandwaggers.

I think there is a difference between being a "Shawtagonist" and just not being sold on him yet.  The very nature of college athletics, especially football, means that there is a period of time in a new coach's administration when blame - or praise - should be shared with his or her predecessor.  That period is typically 3ish years.  Year four was obviously a big letdown (by Stanford's recent standards).  Year five will tell the tale, and it didn't get off to a good start.  However, it has rebounded.  We'll see come December.

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

Ps: I find it amusing that some of the biggest Shawtagonist are the biggest bandwaggers.

I think there is a difference between being a "Shawtagonist" and just not being sold on him yet.  The very nature of college athletics, especially football, means that there is a period of time in a new coach's administration when blame - or praise - should be shared with his or her predecessor.  That period is typically 3ish years.  Year four was obviously a big letdown (by Stanford's recent standards).  Year five will tell the tale, and it didn't get off to a good start.  However, it has rebounded.  We'll see come December.