WinLoseOrTy
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- Nov 21, 2008
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2016 team went 8-4 in the regular season.
2017 team went 5-7 in the regular season.
But let's dive a little deeper into the two...
Non-Conference
Both went 3-0 with a win over Oregon State.
Same Opponents, Same Result
Iowa - Loss
Illinois - Win
Wisconsin - Loss
Different Opponents
Penn St (2016, Loss) to Michigan (2017, Loss)
Rutgers (2016, Win) to Michigan St (2017, Loss)
I'd argue that the difference here is an apples vs oranges schedule loss. Changing Rutgers to Michigan St shouldn't be held against 2017.
So we are 8 games in, and W/L record is essentially identical if you consider the upgrade in B1G East opponent.
Same Opponents, Different Result
Maryland - Win to Loss
Purdue - Win to Loss
Nebraska - Loss to Win
Northwestern - Win to Loss
Here is where the real differences come to light. It all boils down to the Maryland and Purdue games flipping from wins to losses. They are the only real difference in the W/L records from 2016 to 2017.
Maryland - we were tied 24-24 with under 4 minutes to play
Purdue - we led 17-16 with under 2 minutes to play
So we were right there in both games. We didn't finish strong and lost. That's football. But I truly think that 2016 and 2017 were not as different as many seem to think.
2017 team went 5-7 in the regular season.
But let's dive a little deeper into the two...
Non-Conference
Both went 3-0 with a win over Oregon State.
Same Opponents, Same Result
Iowa - Loss
Illinois - Win
Wisconsin - Loss
Different Opponents
Penn St (2016, Loss) to Michigan (2017, Loss)
Rutgers (2016, Win) to Michigan St (2017, Loss)
I'd argue that the difference here is an apples vs oranges schedule loss. Changing Rutgers to Michigan St shouldn't be held against 2017.
So we are 8 games in, and W/L record is essentially identical if you consider the upgrade in B1G East opponent.
Same Opponents, Different Result
Maryland - Win to Loss
Purdue - Win to Loss
Nebraska - Loss to Win
Northwestern - Win to Loss
Here is where the real differences come to light. It all boils down to the Maryland and Purdue games flipping from wins to losses. They are the only real difference in the W/L records from 2016 to 2017.
Maryland - we were tied 24-24 with under 4 minutes to play
Purdue - we led 17-16 with under 2 minutes to play
So we were right there in both games. We didn't finish strong and lost. That's football. But I truly think that 2016 and 2017 were not as different as many seem to think.