Michigan Football Preview

By: Ken W Paczas

Michigan Football Preview 2011

Head Coach: Brady Hoke (1st season)

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Stadium: Michigan Stadium (109,901)

2010 Record: 7-6 (3-5)

Key Losses

Jonas Mouton

Tate Forcier

Steve Schilling

Starters

Offense

Qb- Denard Robinson (JR)                  C- David Molk (SR)

RB – Michael Shaw (SR)                      RG- Pat Omemeh (JR)

WR- Roy Roundtree (JR)                    LG- Rick Barnum (JR)

WR- Junior Hemmingway (SR)             LT- Taylor Lewan (SO)

WR- Kelvin Grady (SR)                        RT- Marc Huyge (SR)

TE- Kevin Koger (SR)                          K- Matt Wile (FR)

Defense

DE- Ryan V.Bergen (SR)                     OLB- Cam Gordon (SO)

DE- Craig Roh (JR)                              OLB- Mike Jones (SO)

DT- Will Campbell (JR)                         MLB- Kenny Demens (JR)

DT- Mike Martin (SR)                           SS- Jordan Kovacks (JR)

CB- Troy Wolfolk (SR)                         FS- Carvin Johnson (SO)

CB- JT Floyd (JR)                                P- Will Hagerup (SO)

 

Michigan brings back 16 starters, but lack the coach and system from 2010.  Brady Hoke was hired to correct the ship but with the Blue fan base demanding a winner, there will not be a grace period for him to get it done.

Michigan is coming off of their first bowl game appearance in three seasons, albeit a 52-14 loss to Mississippi State.  Hoke has the benefit of having college football’s most electrifying player in Denard Robinson.  Robinson was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2010 after passing for over 2500 yards and rushing for over 1700 yards. However, Shoelace has to learn how to play under center and that is a huge question mark.

While the offense has a positive outlook, the defense needs to improve drastically for Michigan to return to the top of the Big Ten.  Michigan gave up 35 points per game in 2010, while holding their opponents under 20 points only twice.  Michigan’s defensive improvement starts with new DC Greg Mattison, who is a proven DC at both the college and pro levels.  DT Mike Martin will lead the effort in rebuilding a once proud defense.  Martin was a second team Big Ten performer a season ago and will need to be a force on the line for the Wolverines in 2011.

Michigan has a fairly tough schedule this season, especially at the end of the year.  Michigan can start the season 5-2 and still have a tough time qualifying for a bowl game as they close out the season with @Iowa, @Illinois, Nebraska, and Ohio State.  In addition to a tough Big Ten schedule, Michigan faces a couple tough and unique non-conference games.  The biggest non-conference game is in week two when Michigan takes on Notre Dame.  In the last two seasons Michigan has edged out Notre Dame at the end of the game, but this time around Michigan has the new coach and Notre Dame will be looking for revenge.  Then a couple of week’s later Michigan hosts Coach Hoke’s former school, San Diego State.  On top of the Aztec’s motivation of playing their former coach and Michigan, they are a pretty good team having won nine games last season.

Season Prediction:

9/3:    Western Michigan W (1-0) – Michigan’s defense shows up, making fans believe things have changed. Michigan wins 27-10

9/10:  Notre Dame L (1-1) – This is where Michigan’s defense comes back to earth. Brian Kelly remembers what happened last year, and as long as Crist stays healthy, he will extract revenge... Mich Loses 31-24

9/17:  Eastern Michigan W (2-1) – Mich bounces back with an easy victory, 38-17

9/24:  San Diego State W (3-1) – Hoke’s old kids want to show their old coach they can still play, but coming to the Big House is intimidating for a team that plays in front of 27,000… Mich wins 24-21

10/1:  Minnesota W (4-1) – Mich brings the jug home, 27-21

10/8:  @Northwestern L (4-2) – This is not your dad’s NW team, and they show it in a big way, beating Michigan 30-17

10/15: @Michigan State W (5-2) – Hoke has put this game front and center for his team; they will listen and finally beat MSU 28-24.

10/29: Purdue W (6-2) – Purdue wishes they had Orton or Brees, Michigan takes advantage to their lack of QB, wins and wins big 35-13.

11/5: @Iowa L (6-3) – Michigan winning in Iowa? Not this year, 24-10.

11/12: @Illinois W (7-3) – This will not be a repeat of the video game they played last year, Mich wins 28-20.

11/19: Nebraska L (7-4) – Nebraska is just too good, 42-17

11/26: Ohio State L (7-5) – Michigan fans believe this is the year they get a piece of OSU, Hey, you beat MSU, be happy with that... OSU wins 21-14.

Michigan finishes 7-5, with a trip to the Outback Bowl….. A win vs. MSU and Shoelace learning the system will be huge success heading into a brutal 2012 schedule.