The Wolverine

2013 Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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Top Five Wins For 2008 Class 1. 40-34 vs. Ohio State, 2011: When Michigan bested Ohio State 35-21 in 2003, no one thought that would be the last win over the Buckeyes for the remainder of the decade, yet year by year, the Maize and Blue fell to their rival. By the time Brady Hoke arrived in 2011, the losing streak had reached seven games, and it had to end. The 2008 class figured prominently in beating OSU, with Kevin Koger and Martavious Odoms catching touchdown passes while defenders Kenny Demens, J.T. Floyd and Mike Martin combined for 20 tackles. 2. 35-31 vs. Notre Dame, 2011: This is one that will live on for a long time, and for good reason. Michigan rallied from a 24-7 deficit, scoring four touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including Denard Robinson's 16-yard TD pass with two seconds left on the clock. That pass ended up in the hands of Roy Roundtree, creating the signature moment for the class of 2008 signee. Defensively, Demens had 12 tackles, and Floyd had a key interception and pass breakup. 3. 12-10 vs. Michigan State, 2012: Though less pronounced than the sevenyear plague endured against Ohio State, a four-game losing streak to in-state foe Michigan State was becoming too much to bear, and the Wolverines had to silence their increasingly irritating rival. Offensive linemen Ricky Barnum, Elliott Mealer and Patrick Omameh from the 2008 class were pivotal in providing Robinson the time to direct a game-winning field-goal drive in the final minute. 4. 23-20 vs. Virginia Tech, 2011: The Maize and Blue hadn't earned a bowl win since the 2007 season and were 0-3 in three BCS bowl appearances since 2000 when the team arrived in New Orleans for the 2012 Sugar Bowl. Defense and special teams reigned in the overtime victory, with Martin proving a monster en route to a 10-tackle effort. 5. 45-17 vs. Nebraska, 2011: In Hoke's first season, U-M had a lot of nice wins during its 8-2 start, but no dominant victory worth bragging about. When No. 17 Nebraska arrived in Ann Arbor, the Cornhuskers were the favorite, bringing with them Big Ten-title aspirations. However, the Wolverines bludgeoned their opponent, finishing with a 418-280 yardage advantage. Odoms had a touchdown catch, Roundtree was pivotal, and the defense smothered its foe. The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview  ■ 247

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