>If there is anyone out there that can explain to me or write over e-mail what
>has happened to Michigan this year after starting out ranked #1 in the Nation
>please send all comments that would help me understand why?
 
I was going to send a personal response to this, but one or two others may
be interested in my answer (you never know :-), so...
 
Inconsistency and early season adjustments.  Also, 9 of Michigan's 12
CCHA games have been against other upper echelon teams (LSSU, Miami,
Mich State and West Mich).  In those games, they are 4-3-2 (3-1-1 at
home, 1-2-1 on the road).  Of their remaining 18 conference games, they
play LSSU once, Miami once, Mich State once, and 15 games against
*presumably* teams under .500.  Michigan should put together a 30+ win
season with only 5-7 losses, which is about what I expected of them.
 
As for the #1 ranking...???  On paper, Maine is a better team.  Granted,
Michigan hasn't played well night in and night out, but I still think
that they are a final four team with a chance at winning the national
championship.  I'm looking forward to a great CCHA race -- I predict that
Michigan and LSSU will go right down to the final weekend, with Miami and
MSU only a couple of points back and Western in 5th place.
 
If you need any specifics, feel free to message me.
 
  John Haeussler
  Univ of Michigan