Miller's Best of the Big Ten & Power Poll

Hoffman,

I hope you're fifteen, but even then your ****-for-brains posts don't bode well for your future. "real dominate dousche" is perhaps the most poorly worded attempt at talking trash (to an IOWA fan, mind you) that I have ever seen.

Upon further review, I see that neither Uconn nor ND were ranked. Both received votes, putting them well above Iowa's two opponents to date. Nonetheless, I was wrong.

Regardless, you're using stats to "prove" that Iowa is better than Michigan, when my only point was that Michigan has beaten two teams that are better than either of Iowa's opponents to date.

Do you disagree with that, "bud", or are you too stupid to understand the idea that competition matters?

It's a power poll. To me, that means a ranking of what teams have done to date. As an Iowa fan, I look forward to Iowa beating Michigan, but right now, I think Michigan's resume is better. You're free to disagree, provided you can form an actual counter- argument.

Let's conclude with a brief test. I know you hate tests, but do your best:

Can you appreciate the difference between the difference between the following arguments?

1) Michigan's resume is superior to Iowa's.

2) Iowa's team is better than Michigan's.
 


Pat White played in the ACC- a conference not known for tough hard hitting defenses and had no long term traditional powers in theconference.

You have 3-4 hard hitting tough defenses in the B10. Lets see what happens after Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio state games.
 


Can you appreciate the difference between the difference between the following arguments?

1) Michigan's resume is superior to Iowa's.
Michigan's resume is not better than Iowa's. I got it that ND is some name-brand, but Michigan had to have a last second drive to win against a team that gave up over 500 yards to one player. Not that impressive. I'm glad you have an opinion, and I can say your opinion sucks. UCONN is and was trash at the beginning of the season. Just more of the SECSPN's ploy to pimp the Big East. I got it they played two FBS school's, but you'll see how bad ND is this week when MSU blows them out. UCONN goes no better than 7-5 this year at best, probably in the same realm as ISU. Additionally, if you are going to say their resume is better than Iowa's you'd have to say that Michigan had more impressive wins, which they didn't. Take that to the bank and cash it.

2) Iowa's team is better than Michigan's.
No argument there, that is why they should logically be ranked higher. You just shot yourself in the foot.
 


Pat White played in the ACC- a conference not known for tough hard hitting defenses and had no long term traditional powers in theconference.

You have 3-4 hard hitting tough defenses in the B10. Lets see what happens after Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio state games.


Pat White played in the Big East, but which further validates your point as it is even less hard hitting than the ACC let alone the BT.
 


Regardless, you're using stats to "prove" that Iowa is better than Michigan, when my only point was that Michigan has beaten two teams that are better than either of Iowa's opponents to date.

I think that's a pretty fair point to make. In spite of some serious black and gold blinders around here, UConn and Notre Dame are better, especially when one of the games was at home for ND.
 


Frankly, I don't see how Michigan isn't ranked 2nd in the power poll at this point. They have now beaten 2 ranked teams, both of which were likely superior to Iowa's two opponents.

I like Iowa over Michigan, but right now, Michigan's resume is superior.

Allowing ND to put up over 500 yards of offense with a patchwork of QB's..not my idea of defensive progress...ND had 3 turnovers and missed two FG's and Michigan needed a TD in the final minute to win.

I like this Michigan team...they are getting better and are very dangerous. But this win over ND, while a solid step forward, isn't like beating ND in the 1980's
 


I think that's a pretty fair point to make. In spite of some serious black and gold blinders around here, UConn and Notre Dame are better, especially when one of the games was at home for ND.

I know this is going to ruffle some Clone-hater feathers, but there is no way ND is better than ISU. Take the mystique out of your eyes. They were not good last year and are retooling the offense. I know they're little brother but ISU won a bowl game last year. UConn was okay-ish. Both were better than EIU and I'll give you that Mich. won on the road. That's it though.

Do they have a better resume than Iowa based purely on who and where they played? Yes, but because of UConn and EIU, not because of @ND over ISU.
 


I'm glad you're now on board with me that Minnesota needs to be in the 11th spot. Should have been there last week after squeaking out a win on the road vs MTST :)
 


UCONN is better than EIU and that game was never close. ND is better than ISU, but the ND game was close and the ISU one wasn't. Trying to judge a team by how good they played or by how much they beat someone by is pretty hit and miss. As a Michigan I do not find much comofort in yesterday's game. Crist didn't play for a third of it and Michigan struggled.

Having said all of that, two things in general give me hope. Denard Robinson is one. If he stays healthy they can beat anyone. If he doesn't, I still belive they can but it will be much tougher. Keep in mind he is only two games into his starting career and he's a sophmore. He will continue to get better. I don't see him running this much as time goes one. Once people start to somewhat stop it, there will be more passing. He has done pretty well in that regard. I don't think it's fair to try and rank a team on if they may or may not get injured. I think that's borderline idiotic. Another thing is that Michigans front 6 have gotten better since last year and the safeties are very young. They will continue to get better. The corners actually looked somewhat capable yesterday and Micheal Floyd is one of the best receivers in the nation.

Their offense has to find a way to finish drives. I think they will. I see them going 8-4, splitting in the conference. I think their defense will lose them a couple games and DRob will look like a sophmore at some point. He won't keep this pace, but he certainly is a threat to score any time he has the ball. Fourth is the right spot for Michigan. The Big Ten is also the best conference in AMerica to this point.
 


Pat White played in the ACC- a conference not known for tough hard hitting defenses and had no long term traditional powers in theconference.

You have 3-4 hard hitting tough defenses in the B10. Lets see what happens after Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio state games.

thawks - wonder how michigan's qb felt after the iowa game last year - or if he even remembers the game. don't remember the kids name right now, but he took a beating and didn't finish the game, probably thanks to AC and company.

rod is trying to save his job right now, and he will ride robinson to get that accomplished.
 


I think it goes like this OSU and Iowa really close at this point. Iowa has really been an all around team so far and hasn't really had to many mistakes to be upset about. Then I'd put Wisky at like a distant third with their terrible showing against San Jose St (remember they are one of the worst teams in FBS) and then even further away would be Michigan just because of Robinson. Their D is horrible and they are a 1-dimensional team. I'd almost put Northwestern instead of Michigan, maybe a T-4th.

Just my thoughts

How are they one dimensional? Denard threw for 244 yesterday.
 


I think D Robison will get hurt in the big ten games. He already got hurt in both of their first 2 games but it was only for a drive each.
 


I think D Robison will get hurt in the big ten games. He already got hurt in both of their first 2 games but it was only for a drive each.

A play each. He will probably miss a game. I also don't expect him to run this much the whole season. Of course, if no one ever stops it, I guess you have to keep doing it in close games. Honestly, he shouldn't have to play more than a half for the next 2 weeks and maybe not in the third. That would be nice, especially if they can get Gardner or Forcier some reps for the future.
 


How are they one dimensional? Denard threw for 244 yesterday.

Much of Michigan's passing game relies upon yardage after the catch. That's always been a hall-mark of Rich Rod's Os though. That also explains why Denard has a pretty high completion percentage ... because he tends to throw shorter passes to excellent playmakers who end up breaking big plays.

Anyhow, against Iowa, it is VERY difficult to break big plays. Thus, against Iowa, that effectively renders him 1-dimensional. Furthermore, with a good contain game-plan ... Michigan has yet to find a RB who truly gives them a 1-2 punch with Denard.
 


Furthermore, with a good contain game-plan ... Michigan has yet to find a RB who truly gives them a 1-2 punch with Denard.

It's Mich though,and a rb could break out. D-robb will be dangerous, but...nonetheless, I don't think their D has much in front or in back. ND is not good, lucky at times, but not good. (ps. I think that rainbow emptying into the stadium at the end of their game is what allowed them their final score!-).
 


How are they one dimensional? Denard threw for 244 yesterday.

They are 1-dimensional because they only have one real threat on offense up until this point. I understand he has thrown and ran, but it's because both UCONN and ND have tried to focused on both attacks. If a good defense comes at Michigan, they will stop one or the other and that will in effect take care of Robinson.
 


Ranking are OSU,Iowa,Wis,Mich St, Mich, Penn St, Nwestern,Purdue,Illinois,Indiana,and Minnesota it is fluid at this point, and lets not forget Michigan was 4-0 last year as well jury still out on Wolverines. At this point OSU and Iowa have shown too be the best big game for Hawks on Saturday night for sure.
 


Much of Michigan's passing game relies upon yardage after the catch. That's always been a hall-mark of Rich Rod's Os though. That also explains why Denard has a pretty high completion percentage ... because he tends to throw shorter passes to excellent playmakers who end up breaking big plays.

Anyhow, against Iowa, it is VERY difficult to break big plays. Thus, against Iowa, that effectively renders him 1-dimensional. Furthermore, with a good contain game-plan ... Michigan has yet to find a RB who truly gives them a 1-2 punch with Denard.

WHy do you think the big plays are there? It's because Denard makes you take away the run. Manti Te'o is better than any linebacker on Iowa's roster. If he doesn't play yesterday, Denard probably has more yards and less attempts. The Oline for Michigan hasn't allowed Dlines to do anything. I don't think they will do that against Iowa but besides Wisconsin, I think Michigan has the best Oline Iowa will face. As far as running back, your correct. One hasn't jumped out yet. Of course, they haven't given them many opportunities to do so either. What those guys have done well is block the **** out of the second level.

It's Mich though,and a rb could break out. D-robb will be dangerous, but...nonetheless, I don't think their D has much in front or in back. ND is not good, lucky at times, but not good. (ps. I think that rainbow emptying into the stadium at the end of their game is what allowed them their final score!-).

Their defense is fine up front. The back part is terrible right now though.

They are 1-dimensional because they only have one real threat on offense up until this point. I understand he has thrown and ran, but it's because both UCONN and ND have tried to focused on both attacks. If a good defense comes at Michigan, they will stop one or the other and that will in effect take care of Robinson.

So is he throwing to himself? I'm confused. Sure no receiver has broken out, but again, they haven't had to throw the ball much. Roy ROundtree, Tay Odoms and Darryl Stonum are certainly serviceable. They have caught everything thrown to them. I say go ahead and take away the run. As a Michigan fan, I am fine with that. You can't take away one or the other without him hurting you with the other one. That is what we have seen so far. COuld that change and could have huge regression? Sure he could. I don't see it happening though. He is much more well rounded than Tate was. Tate wasn't a threat to take it to the house every time he touched the ball. Denard is and I don't care who he is playing. This notion that both UCONN and ND are less than what anyone else has played is ridiculous. Most teams have had at least one cupcake on their schedule. I wouldn't call either of those a cupcake. Michigan has two maybe three cupcakes coming up so hopefully he can get some rest.
 




Allowing ND to put up over 500 yards of offense with a patchwork of QB's..not my idea of defensive progress...ND had 3 turnovers and missed two FG's and Michigan needed a TD in the final minute to win.

I like this Michigan team...they are getting better and are very dangerous. But this win over ND, while a solid step forward, isn't like beating ND in the 1980's

Tell that to the Grandpas and ESPN's of the world.
 




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