Top prognosticator sees bowl for U-M

Updated:6/22/2009 8:50:25 AM

(DETROIT FREE PRESS) - For some, college football prediction is an art. For Phil Steele, publisher of Phil Steele's college football preview, it's more of a science.

He has had the most accurate magazine over the past five and 10 years, according to the college football Web site Stassen.com. Much of the accuracy is because of his statistical breakdown of teams.

He ranks Michigan 36th in his power poll of talent and predicts the Wolverines to finish in a sixth-place tie with Wisconsin in the Big Ten, behind Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan State.

Steele predicts an improved season for the Wolverines, the fourth-most improved season nationally, trailing only Illinois, Ohio and UCLA. He also sees them in the Champs Sports Bowl against Miami (Fla.).


Some of his factors for optimism:
*Michigan's negative-10 turnover margin in 2008. "Teams with a negative double-digit TO ratio had the same or stronger records 80% of the time since 1996."

*In his simulation of the 2009 season, Michigan had the most improved offense in the country.

*The Wolverines had "bad fortune" by his analysis in 2008, winning only one close game (the miracle comeback against Wisconsin) and losing four close ones for a net of three close losses. In his analysis over the past seven years, teams with a net of three were better or had the same record 78.6% of the time the next season.

*U-M has 14 returning starters, fourth-most in the Big Ten.

His primary caution -- Michigan is his only Big Ten contender that has to play all of the other six.

He predicts two Wolverines on the All-Big Ten first team -- defensive end Brandon Graham and punter Zoltan Mesko.


By MARK SNYDER FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

I'll hang up and listen...

lol@ the champs sports bowl.

Where do they play that? The Novi Dave and Busters?

LOL! Bowl game??

LMAO! Champs Sports?!?!

ROFLMAO! Rose Bowl at least!

I live in a box, I hate my kids and all people that procreate, message board dwellers need to get a life. I'm currently masterbating.

I like today's Glenn.

I like today's Glenn.

It's not even 1 pm yet, there's time to change that.

The joooooooy of your liiiiiiiife is gl'enn danzig
Beautiful beautiful danzig

To go toThe Champs Sports Bowl, UM would have to be 7-5 or 8-4. I don`t see it. I see 6-6 with an invitation to the Motor City Bowl. Which will create all sorts of trouble amongst the wolverine nation.

I don't think that was cause any trouble. I think any bowl game this year would be considered a success given the turnover. Last year was certainly a disaster, but I don't think anyone expects 8 wins until next year.

You spelled "masturbating" wrong. And I prefer the term "whacking off"

I don't think that was cause any trouble. I think any bowl game this year would be considered a success given the turnover. Last year was certainly a disaster, but I don't think anyone expects 8 wins until next year.
Trust me, among the UM alumni, going to the Motor City Bowl (coupled with how they already feel about RR) while MSU goes to another New Year`s Day bowl, it will be a problem. Throw in the fact that MSU will have beaten UM in consecutive years and you will be able to see the steam coming out of their ears.

Now, as far as the wal-mart wolverines go, the rhetoric will probably sound something like you wrote.

To go toThe Champs Sports Bowl, UM would have to be 7-5 or 8-4. I don`t see it. I see 6-6 with an invitation to the Motor City Bowl. Which will create all sorts of trouble amongst the wolverine nation.

Actually, because they play a 1-AA opponent this year, I think the 6 wins would all have to come against 1-A opponents for them to be eligible. I believe you must have at least a .500 record against BCS teams to be eligible for a bowl.

Anyhow, this and multiple other authors are predicting some huge upgrades for UM, including an SI author spouting off about 10 wins. I don't see it, but I also won't discount the impact a legit QB could have with this offense. The defense isn't going to be winning any games this year, at least, I would be very surprised if they did.

Anyhow, I hope for your sake that your confidence about State doesn't turn to arrogance. Otherwise you may possibly become everyone's answer to the Walmart Wolverine.....The Spartan Hypocrite!

Gl'enn, are you reminding the world that Zip was bukdow before bukdow was bukdow?

Gl'enn, are you reminding the world that I was the Beaver's friend Eddie before I was arrested for jerking off in a public library?

Hey look, it's another thread! A perfect opportunity to scan my hard drive of disturbing and often meaningless pictures so I can post one and continue to derail threads! Hmmm, I should also comment on DickRod. Should I praise him or talk about how he's destroying the program? What day is it again?

^^^ Definite POY candidate right there, boys!

Actually, because they play a 1-AA opponent this year, I think the 6 wins would all have to come against 1-A opponents for them to be eligible. I believe you must have at least a .500 record against BCS teams to be eligible for a bowl.

Anyhow, this and multiple other authors are predicting some huge upgrades for UM, including an SI author spouting off about 10 wins. I don't see it, but I also won't discount the impact a legit QB could have with this offense. The defense isn't going to be winning any games this year, at least, I would be very surprised if they did.

Anyhow, I hope for your sake that your confidence about State doesn't turn to arrogance. Otherwise you may possibly become everyone's answer to the Walmart Wolverine.....The Spartan Hypocrite!
?Que?

The first question mark is supposed to be upsidedown, buk.

LOL

The first question mark is supposed to be upsidedown, buk.
Like, duh. However, I didn`t know how to do that on the fancy computer keyboard. ?Do you?

Like, duh. However, I didn`t know how to do that on the fancy computer keyboard. ?Do you?

¿qué?

¿qué?
OK, how did you do it?

Like, duh. However, I didn`t know how to do that on the fancy computer keyboard. ?Do you?



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