The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 39 Michigan enjoys a strong schedule break for this particular trip to Camp Randall. The Wolverines get tested twice at home, then get a bye week to work out the bugs before starting the Big Ten season on the road. That doesn't mean anything will come easily in Madison. It never does. In fact, the Wolverines haven't won a football game at Wisconsin since 2001, and even then they snuck out of the venerable old stadium with a 20-17 victory. Even in 1997, the eventual national champions had to win a slugfest (26-16) in Madison. The last decisive U-M win in Badgerland occurred in 1990, a 41-3 blowout. The Wolverines catch another quarterback getting his first real shot for the Badgers, either freshman Gra- ham Mertz, the nation's No. 42 over- all prospect in the class of 2019, or veteran Jack Coan. The latter started four games a year ago, looking stron- ger at the end of the year. Meanwhile, tailback Jonathan Tay- lor refuses to go away. Michigan con- tained him well for the most part a year ago, but a Doak Walker Award winner with a national-best 2,194 rushing yards in 2018 can never be taken for granted. Opponent: Rutgers (1-11) Date: Sept. 28 Venue: Michigan Stadium ESPN FPI Rank: 92nd DEFCON Level: 4 In four years under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has outscored Rutgers by an overwhelming tally of 204-37. The Wolverines have raided New Jersey for some prime talent, and continue to do so. After losing the first contest ever between the teams in 2014, the Wol- verines began acting like themselves again against inferior Big Ten oppo- nents. If ever a label fit a program, it's "inferior" on the Scarlet-faced Knights, who went 1-11 overall and 0-9 in the conference in 2018. Calling it a second September bye week would be disrespectful to the invaders from the East. Then again, respect is earned. Rutgers will get toasted like garlic bread left in the oven overnight. Predicted Michigan Record Through September: 4-0 OCTOBER Opponent: Iowa (9-4) Date: Sept. 28 Venue: Michigan Stadium ESPN FPI Rank: 23rd DEFCON Level: 2 Iowa figures to be a contender in the Big Ten West throughout the 2019 season. Senior quarterback Nate Stan- ley returns, and the Hawkeyes always feature a physical, rugged defense. They also play an interesting slate leading up to their invasion of Michi- gan's Homecoming game. Iowa faces two common opponents, hosting Rutgers and Middle Tennessee State, sandwiched around their only road test at Iowa State before coming to Ann Arbor. Kirk Ferentz surpasses the legend- ary Hayden Fry's longevity this year, in his 21st season, and nine wins last year kept a string of solid campaigns going — they have won at least seven games each of the last six years and in 10 of the last 11. The Hawkeyes beat Mississippi State 27-22 in last year's Outback Bowl, and won't be cowed by coming into Michi- gan Stadium. All that said, the Wolverines them- selves should be up and running on offense by then, along with pulling together the new components on de- fensive coordinator Don Brown's side of the ball. It's another big test, but one Michi- gan should pass. Opponent: Illinois (4-8) Date: Oct. 12 Venue: Memorial Stadium ESPN FPI Rank: 79th DEFCON Level: 3 Harbaugh said he's wishing de- parted quarterback Brandon Peters well in every game he plays in 2019 — except this one. The graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining started four contests at Michigan, but never really found the level of play that locked him in as a long-term starter. He faces a chance for some revenge against his old team, and will be bol- stered by one of the Big Ten's better rushing attacks. The Illini ranked 12th nationally with 243.0 rushing yards per game a year ago and return four offensive line starters, along with three of the four running backs that rushed for at least 395 yards, including se- nior Reggie Corbin (1,085 yards, nine touchdowns in 2018). Here is the reality, though. Illinois has beaten Michigan in a non-Rich Ro- driguez season precisely twice since 1983, and three times since 1966. It's not likely to happen this year, although Lovie Smith's Illini will see this as the perfect opportunity to prove they're not as bad as the 4-8 mark (2-7 Big Ten) they put together last year. Opponent: Penn State (9-4) Date: Oct. 19 Venue: Beaver Stadium ESPN FPI Rank: 12th DEFCON Level: 1 Some will question the threat level for this game, given serious Penn State personnel losses. Quarterback Trace McSorley won't be on hand to go bombs away on the Wolverines, and 1,000-yard rusher Miles Sanders is gone as well from last year's 9-4 crew. Here is the problem: James Franklin continues to flood Happy Valley with offensive talent, and he'll have some- thing cooking for the Wolverines come mid-October. Moreover, another White Out at Beaver Stadium, especially if it's at night, will give the Wolverines their biggest venue test to date. Iowa senior quarterback Nate Stanley has started each of the last 26 games for the Hawkeyes, and finished second in the Big Ten and 22nd nationally last year with 26 scoring throws. PHOTO COURTESY IOWA