ESPN Names Michigan as a 2018 Playoff Contender

Submitted by Caesar on

Here's the (link). Unfortunately, it's accompanied by some silly talk on Harbaugh hype. Worth noting that the list intentionally excludes current CFP participants. Among others making an appearance: Auburn, Stanford, and both Ohio State and Penn State.

NateVolk

December 27th, 2017 at 8:52 AM ^

Losing a lot of key veterans. They are likely to be similar to Michigan 2017. Not to the point of continuity yet where they can absorb key losses and simply plug in and keep rolling.

Show me a good college football team and you'll see NFL watch list upper classmen and a good head coach. Never fails.

 

Larry Appleton

December 27th, 2017 at 8:05 AM ^

Because the talent WILL be there. We were competent QB play from being a 10-win team this year. If one of the young guns on the roster steps up next year, and if we can avoid the injury bug, we should be contenders.

LSAClassOf2000

December 27th, 2017 at 8:03 AM ^

Tony Gibson's defense loses a few more important pieces, but returns its most important player in linebacker David Long, and promising youngsters such as playmaking safety Kenny Robinson.

Well, Tony Gibson's defense wasn't looking too swift yesterday. I don't know about the Mountaineers suddenly emerging from the Big XII just like that...

ST3

December 27th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^

WVU's David Long is David Long, Jr., so I just assumed he was our David Long's son. Makes it even more impressive to think we have an NFL-caliber defender whose bloodlines are so strong that his 2 or 3 year old child is also playing for a P5 school.

ijohnb

December 27th, 2017 at 8:20 AM ^

If we go 8-4 or something next year than it will be fair for people to have "the discussion."  I generally agree with the take that Harbaugh is the "best coach that Michigan is going to get," but at some point it has to translate to wins and championships.  I am realistic about what this program is and what it can be, but Harbaugh was brought in and paid a shit ton of money to raise the ceiling, here.  That hasn't happened as of right now.  He has had some really shitty luck along the way, granted, but he needs to have a "signature year" next year or things are not going to be as comfortable as they have been so far.

ijohnb

December 27th, 2017 at 8:37 AM ^

is Hawt about it?  Oh, you do the thing where you just post stupid comments about other people's thoughts instead of having any of your own.  Got it.  Carry on, have fun.

In reply to by ijohnb

BoCanHam15

December 27th, 2017 at 9:33 AM ^

Comeback! See your reply:

is Hawt about it? Oh, you do the thing where you just post stupid comments about other people's thoughts instead of having any of your own. Got it. Carry on, have fun.



Place a period after carry on! Very astute.

In reply to by ijohnb

BoCanHam15

December 27th, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^

You’ve ran out of disagreement material, very sub stratal. I️ have nothing to prove on a blog intellectually. Trust, that I’ve achieved enough to know that your reply has been stated, a million times! That is the truth.

NateVolk

December 27th, 2017 at 8:56 AM ^

mehhh. A large segment of Michigan fans had that discussion constantly this year. It's ultimately meaningless.

Harbaugh isn't going anywhere and shouldn't. 12-0 or 8-4 next year. He doesn't serve at the whim of fans who can't take some dork heat from their State buddies on social media.

Thankfully. 

ijohnb

December 27th, 2017 at 9:05 AM ^

but we are expecting to win something at some point, right?  Or is it really that he can go 8-4 or 9-3 for as long as he wants and it is all good?  You're right, he doesn't serve "at the whim of fans" and that is a good thing, but does he serve without any expectations at all?  If anything, I think the discussion is premature but I don't think it is meaningless.