Michigan Wolverines
Last year: 11-2, 6-2 in Big 10
Last season, under first year coach Brady Hoke, Michigan went 11-2 and went to BCS Bowl for the first time in 5 seasons. The Wolverines beat Virginia Tech 23-20 in overtime in the Sugar Bowl. The only 2 losses came to Michigan St and Iowa. They also beat Ohio St for the first time in seven seasons. All in all, it was a successful season, even if they didn’t win the Big Ten title.
This season, Michigan is favored to win the Big Ten Legends Division, and is the co-favorite to win the Big Ten Championship game with Wisconsin. The Wolverines are #8 in both pre-season polls, so expectations are sky high for Michigan fans. Everything went right for the Wolverines, including hail mary’s against Notre Dame, and a favorable home schedule. This year they don’t have that luxury, having road games against ND, OSU, Nebraska and a neutral site game against Bama.
Offense
Offensive coordinator Al Borges wanted to make sure Denard was able to make it through a full season. To do so, they wanted to limit the amount of hits he took. It worked to a degree. In 2010, Robinson had 256 carries, but that number was reduced down to 221 last year. His passing attempts also dropped from 291 to 258, but he was sacked 13 times last year as opposed to 7 in 2010. Robinson was the leading rusher for the Wolverines last year. He had over 3,300 combined rushing and passing yards, and 36 combined touchdowns (20 passing). He did struggle at times in the new offense as he threw 15 interceptions, up from 11 in 2010. That was higher than any quarterback in the Big Ten. Robinson is one of the favorites to win the Heisman trophy. His numbers should improve as he had another off season to learn the system. Robinson has been very vocal this off season. He says their goal is a Big Ten title, but it will be on his shoulders if he wants to get it.
The rushing attack took a hit when running back Fitzgerald Toussaint was suspended indefinitely after a DUI arrest. Toussaint had 187 carries last year for 1,041 yards, and 9 touchdowns, and also caught a touchdown pass. Without Toussaint, the feature back will likely be sophomore Thomas Rawls who only had 13 carries last year. He looked good in the spring though. Toussaint has began practicing with the team, but no word yet on whether or not he will be available week 1.
The Wolverines must replace receivers Junior Hemingway and Kevin Koger who combined for 57 catches, just under 1,000 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Jeremy Gallon returns after he caught 31 passes, 453 yards, and 3 touchdowns. In 2010, Roy Roundtree caught 72 passes for 935 yards, and 7 touchdowns. In 2011 his production dropped to just 19 catches, 355 yards, and just 2 touchdowns. He did average 18.7 yards per catch though. Michigan needs Roundtree to approach his production from his sophomore year. Jerald Robinson and Drew Dileo are also in the mix for wide receiver. Robinson played on special teams last year and didn’t have a catch. Dileo had 9 catches for 121 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Brandon Moore, Ricardo Miller, and Devin Funchess will compete for the starting tight end job.
The line must replace center David Molk and right tackle Mark Huyge. Senior Ricky Barnum will take over at center for Molk. Michael Schofield moves from left guard to right tackle to replace Huyge. Junior left tackle Taylor Lewan was second team All-Big Ten last year. Elliott Mealer moves to left guard to replace Schofield. The other guard is Patrick Omameh, who has started every game since 2010. Freshman Kyle Kalis, sophomore Kristian Mateus, and junior Erik Gunderson add depth to a very strong unit. Hoke has been very adamant that Michigan teams win the line of scrimmage, and this unit has the potential to do just that.
Defense
Last season, under defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, Michigan’s defense improved immensely from 2010. Michigan was #6 in scoring defense, 16th in the red zone, and 25th on standard downs. That unit was the main reason Michigan improved to 11 wins last year, as the defense was atrocious in 2010. The defense returns 7 starters from last year.
The defensive line will be led by end Craig Roh and tackle Will Campbell, both seniors. Roh had 8 tackles for loss, including 4 sacks. He is better against the pass than stopping the run. Campbell hasn’t done much in his three years at Michigan, but reportedly had a good spring. He was a much hyped five star recruit when he came to Michigan, but has not been productive on the field. They will need him to be. Jibreel Black, Quinton Washington, and Ondre Pipkins will likely compete for the other tackle spot. The line is the biggest question on defense.
The linebackers will be led by Kenny Demens, Desmond Morgan, Brandin Hawthorne, and Jake Ryan. Ryan had 11 tackles for loss last year, and was a freshman sensation. Expect Ryan to continue this push and be the breakout player on the defense this season.
The secondary will be led by Corners Blake Countess and J.T. Floyd. Countess is a star in the making and has the talent to be a future first round NFL draft pick. Floyd had 2 interceptions last year, and the two combined for 14 pass break-ups. The starting safeties also return in Thomas Gordon, and Jordan Kovacs. Marvin Robinson, Raymon Taylor, and freshmen Jarrod Wilson and Terry Richardson add depth to a very strong unit.
Special Teams
Junior kicker Brendan Gibbons made 13 of 17 field goals last year. He returns, but his leg strength is average at best.
The punting unit was terrible last year. Junior Will Hagerup averaged 36 yards per punt, and was benched in favor of Matt Wile. Wile did slightly better averaging 41.7 yards, and he landed 4 inside the 20. Both return and will compete for the punter job this fall.
The kickoff return unit ranked just over 18 yards per return and was 117th out of 120 teams. Justice Hayes will return kicks and Jeremy Gallon will return punts, after he averaged over ten yards a return.
Schedule
Michigan opens in Dallas against Alabama, in a battle of top 10 teams. The Wolverines return home after that to face Air Force, which is no cake walk. If they have a let down after Alabama, they could be 0-2. After that they get Massachusetts. Michigan then travels to Notre Dame and Purdue. Michigan then comes home for games against Illinois and Michigan St. Then it’s back on the road to face Nebraska and Minnesota. The Wolverines host Northwestern and Iowa, before closing the season at Ohio St.
Outlook
Michigan is not ready to play against a team like Alabama. Expect a 14-17 point loss. They should come home to take the next two before heading to Notre Dame. The Irish have blown leads the last two years in the final seconds, and are craving revenge. They should get it. I fully expect Michigan then to run the table, including beating MSU before being beat by the Buckeyes to end the year. At 9-3, they will find themselves in the Capital One bowl where they will lose to Georgia. A 9-4 season isn’t great, but it’s acceptable with the schedule they have.
