Michigan has certainly garnered itself a ton of attention after their 58-0 thrashing of Minnesota and their 5-0 record thus far. The excitement and optimism coming from the fans is also very well deserved given the fact that this is Brady Hoke’s first year as head coach and I’m sure we all remember how Rich Rod did his first season when he was trying to implement a new system.
Michigan also ranked in at #2 in ESPN’s Big Ten power rankings this week. Here is what they had to say about the 5-0 Wolverines…
Minnesota is horrendous, but we’re beginning to buy into this Michigan team. The defense has made some significant strides after a historically poor three-year stretch, and Denard Robinson leads a dynamic offensive attack. Michigan got creative against Minnesota and everything worked in a 58-0 romp. We’ll learn more about the Wolverines as they hit the road the next two weeks against Northwestern and Michigan State. But so far, so good.
Mlive.com contributor Kyle Warber even went on to say that the Wolverines are on a collision course with the Badgers to meet them in the Big Ten Championship game.
The only thing more impressive than Michigan’s evisceration of soon-to-be MAC team Minnesota was Wisconsin’s defeat of Nebraska. With Russell Wilson at the helm, the Badgers look unstoppable and are the clear favorite to win the Big Ten. The only team playing well enough (right now) to spoil “the year of Badger” is the Wolverines. Michigan is the No. 2 team in the conference and on a collision course to face Wisconsin in the Big Ten Football Championship Game.
Again Michigan has been very impressive this season but to say that Michigan is on a collision course to meet Wisconsin seems a little ludicrous this early in the Big Ten schedule. Michigan fans cannot fall into the same trap in past seasons beating up on week teams in September only to later fall apart during the conference schedule.
Minnesota was without a doubt their most impressive win given the way the defense played and how Hoke was beginning to use Devin Gardner more under center. However you can’t discredit some of the other teams in the division that can still make a lot of noise during the conference schedule. Namely Michigan State and Nebraska.
Ref: ESPN, Mlive.com, Getty (Image)