Cooper: Michigan won’t wind up in top 10

With Michigan beginning a new era under Brady Hoke, not many expected the Wolverines to crack the top 10 in the polls — especially before midseason.

But Michigan has done just that, and wound up tenth in the Scripps Legends Poll this week.

“I take my hat off to Michigan’s coaching staff,” former Ohio State coach John Cooper said. “I think they’ve done a fabulous job. They are much, much, much improved over last year. As a matter of fact, the fact is, they haven’t had any players. But now they’ve got a quarterback (Denard Robinson) making plays but he had at least three interceptions last week. He makes plays and he’s a really, really exciting player to watch.”

Former Indiana coach Bill Mallory still resides in Big Ten country and he echoes Cooper’s sentiment.

“They’ve really come along,” Mallory said. “The staff’s really done a nice job with the team. I’ve seen them in person and I’m like John, they’re not what you’ve seen in the past at Michigan as far as the talent level. Robinson is a heck of a football player. At this point, I’ll tell you this on their behalf, they’ve made a lot of strides.”

Michigan has started the season 6-0 and is tied atop the Big Ten. The Wolverines record might be a bit deceiving, however, as they had to survive early in the season with a miracle comeback against Notre Dame and rallied in the second half to beat a stingy Northwestern team on the road.

“I do not think Michigan will wind up the tenth ranked football team in the country,” Cooper said. “I think that will show as the season goes on. I think, you know, two or three weeks ago Florida State was No. 5 and now they’re out of the top 25. I don’t think Michigan will fall that far, but I would not be surprised if Michigan State doesn’t beat them this week.”

(Image courtesy of Flickr, bellyobsessed)

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