Staff Roundtable for Michigan Football vs UConn and much more

Since the start of the season, has your record prediction changed?

Cameron: Possibly. I’ll have to see how some of these other Big Ten teams play against better squads, but I predicted a floor of 10-2 with a ceiling of 11-1 prior to the season. I might need to change my floor to 11-1, and the ceiling to 12-0 because some of the Big Ten teams I thought could be tricky for Michigan might not be, and some of the teams I thought wouldn’t be tricky prior, might be tricky now. I do think Ohio State is vulnerable again this season, as they have some concerns with their pass defense and their passing attack, but it’s obviously still very early. Things can, and likely will, change and get better in the coming weeks. That’s way down the road though.

Maddie: My record prediction at the beginning of the season was anywhere from 10-2 to 12-0. And honestly it remains that way still. I think the 2 opponents I worry about most happen to be our hated rivals, Michigan State and Ohio State. They both look very good this year, and while it is early, those games are going to be close ones. Other than that, I am not worried about any of the Big Ten West teams like Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois as well as most of our fellow Big Ten East opponents.

Jared: I always thought this team could win 11 games no matter who the starting quarterback would be, and I still believe that. JJ McCarthy only makes me more confident in that and he presents serious potential for 12-0. But until I see more from both Michigan football and Ohio State, it is hard to project a win in Columbus when we are only two games into the season. For now, I’ll stand pat at 11-1.

Brandon: I am still very confident Michigan football can go at least 10-2 with the upside of going 11-1 and making another run at the College Football Playoff. I am still uneasy about their matchup with Ohio State but from what they have shown I still believe in their ability to contend for the Big Ten and I see the upside for them to play for even more than that come January.

Josh: Yes. I think Michigan has a real shot at 12-0 with McCarthy under center now, and with the insertion of him into the starting lineup now, gives the Wolverines plenty of time to get rolling before real tests against Michigan State and Penn State.

Chris Peterson: I believe this team can beat the Buckeyes. I also think Michigan football is going to go into Columbus 11-0. I predicted that before the season and my thinking hasn’t really changed. But with McCarthy playing earlier, I think the upside could be hit earlier.