I definitely agree with you and others that nothing is for certain, and anything can happen in these games, no doubt.
But even though it is in the Big House, at night, against a rival, we're still the MUCH better team, with or without Floyd. And it goes beyond talent guys.
I'm talking about systems. I'm not sure people realize how difficult it is to go from a true option-read spread with spread players and spread O-Linemen to a true pro-style offense. It is completely different! This isn't ND with CW going from a west coast style offense to his pro-style offense, which feature many similarities. This is like what DickRod went through his first year transitioning from a pro-style to a spread with pro-style players. You saw the results.
Hell, look at what ND went through last year on offense and defense. It was not pretty a lot of the year. But by the end of the year, we were humming baby, esp on defense/ Michigan is playing us at the beginning of the year...big difference.
I know anything can and will happen...I'm just saying, we should beat Michigan next year with or without Michael Floyd...no doubt! I couldn't say that in previous years. This coming year, I can (and I will goddammit!!!)