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Jamie Samuelsen's Bold Predictions For 2015: The Lions, Tigers, Harbaugh And More

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

CBS DETROIT - With 2014 drawing to a close, 97.1 The Ticket host Jamie Samuelsen offered three predictions for the coming year, and the topics he tackled included ones that impact the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions and the University of Michigan.

After a tumultuous, losing football season and the departures of athletic director Dave Brandon and head coach Brady Hoke, many Michigan fans have clamored for the university to hire San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who played at Michigan under Bo Schembechler and who has led the 49ers to three straight NFC championship games.

Samuelsen believes Michigan will make the dream hire happen, and he believes it will result in the Wolverines finally topping the Urban Meyer-led Buckeyes.

"I just think all the signs point to Harbaugh coming to Michigan," Samuelsen said. "I think it's his best job. I don't think he wants the 49ers to get anything back for him, and there's rumblings out there about these texts he's been sending and things like that. I think it just makes perfect sense, and he can always go back to the NFL if it doesn't work out, and I just think that game in Michigan Stadium against Ohio State, I just have a feeling all the emotion will be on his side, and I don't know if he'll guarantee a victory, but he'll do something."

As far as the Tigers, Samuelsen predicts a Cy Young Award from a pitcher on the staff, but he did not say Max Scherzer will be returning. Instead, he believes David Price, whom Detroit acquired at the trade deadline last season, will have a sparkling year, going 22-7, and then leave in free agency.

"David Price, because he'll be in Detroit for the entire season, he'll be [comfortable], settle in, he'll be the Opening Day starter, he'll be the ace," Samuelsen said. "I thought he showed flashes last year. I just didn't think it all came together, but the consistency, I think the offense will be better around him, so I think there's games that he lost last year, like the one in Tampa Bay, that he'll win this year, so I think he'll be the Cy Young Award winner."

The Tigers have enjoyed a significant amount of success in recent years, and the Lions have finally gotten a taste of something similar this season. Their defense, which has ranked as the best in the NFL throughout the year, revolves around star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who becomes a free agent at the end of this season. Many have speculated he wants to head to a higher-profile location, but he has stayed mum on what he wants to do, always deferring to his agent Jimmy Sexton.

Samuelsen believes Suh will re-sign with Detroit.

"I just think the Lions will make him the best financial offer," Samuelsen said. "I've always thought that he wants to be a free agent, meaning he wants to go out and be wined and dined and see all the other teams, but I never thought he necessarily wanted to leave Detroit. I don't think he necessarily wants to go to New York or out west or something like that. I think he wants to go where he can get the most money and have a chance to win, and I think the Lions may actually give him that best opportunity."

Those interested in hearing more from Samuelsen can listen to the Jamie and Wojo Show at 6 p.m. weekdays.

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