Unless Jimbo struck gold twice with Akers, METS' post is spot on...also, our only good O-lineman just declared for the draft. DF will be running for his life once again, I fear. Really stinks too, because our TE/WR group looks to be a dominate part of the team, but Trick-daddy's lines can't pass block for $hit. I swear that O-line is like putting a bunch of bumper stickers on a Lamborghini!
OL was very good against Michigan. They should be solid next year. Francois is the key. If he improves his accuracy and consistency then FSU is a legit contender. Nobody replaces the best back in the country but a combo of Akers, Patrick and White should be effective.
Outside of the ville and bama I dont see anybody on your schedule being a challenge. Sure cook was important, but not as much as some other guys lost on other teams.
RATING W L SCHEDL(RANK) VS top 10 | VS top 30 | PREDICTOR | GOLDEN_MEAN | RECENT
HOME ADVANTAGE=[ 2.13] [ 1.97] [ 2.17] [ 2.17]
1 Clemson A = 105.35 14 1 78.24( 3) 3 0 | 8 0 | 100.78 2 | 102.94 2 | 110.32 1
2 Alabama A = 105.33 14 1 79.97( 1) 3 1 | 8 1 | 104.80 1 | 105.07 1 | 105.37 2
3 Michigan A = 94.05 10 3 72.11( 49) 1 2 | 3 2 | 97.44 3 | 96.13 3 | 91.76 10
4 Washington A = 93.28 12 2 71.84( 53) 0 2 | 2 2 | 93.31 5 | 92.96 5 | 93.15 5
5 Ohio State A = 93.27 11 2 77.08( 6) 3 1 | 4 2 | 96.13 4 | 95.59 4 | 91.00 11
6 Oklahoma A = 93.21 11 2 75.04( 14) 0 1 | 4 1 | 90.43 7 | 91.53 6 | 95.42 3
7 LSU A = 91.99 8 4 77.49( 5) 0 2 | 2 4 | 91.83 6 | 91.50 7 | 92.05 9
8 Florida State A = 91.56 10 3 79.47( 2) 1 1 | 4 2 | 90.37 8 | 90.52 8 | 92.42 7
9 Wisconsin A = 90.59 11 3 75.33( 13) 1 2 | 3 3 | 88.33 9 | 89.25 9 | 92.21 8
10 Southern California A = 89.92 10 3 74.84( 17) 1 1 | 3 2 | 86.55 13 | 87.55 10 | 93.09 6
It's called depth and recruiting. The corner we lose was probably the weakest link on the defense. Cook can't be replaced but the receivers should be insane. Nnadi returning is huge at DT. Derwin James back at full strength.
12. Michigan
2016 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten
Returning starters: 4 offense, 1 defense, 0 special teams
Key losses: WR Amara Darboh, WR Jehu Chesson, OT Ben Braden, G Kyle Kalis, OT Erik Magnuson, TE Jake Butt, RB De'Veon Smith, LB/RB Jabrill Peppers, DE Chris Wormley, NT Matthew Godin, DT Ryan Glasgow, DE Taco Charlton, LB Ben Gedeon, CB Jourdan Lewis, SS Dymonte Thomas, FS Delano Hill, CB Channing Stribling
Outlook: The Wolverines are losing 10 starters on defense, their top two receivers, an All-American tight end and a starting tailback. Therefore, it would be an understatement to say Jim Harbaugh is facing a massive rebuilding job in his third season as coach of his alma mater. But Ohio State's Urban Meyer faced a similar reboot this past season and still guided the Buckeyes to a spot in the CFP. The good news for the Wolverines: Quarterback Wilton Speight was better than expected in his first season as a starter. On defense, linebacker Mike McCray and end Rashan Gary will lead what figures to be a very young unit. The Wolverines open the season against Florida in Arlington, Texas, and will play Big Ten road games at Penn State and Wisconsin (Ohio State travels to Michigan).
Wow, maybe we have a shot in this game.
