The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/144506
allow some of the younger players to cut their teeth. "For instance, Wilson or Thomas or somebody inexperienced is going to be lining up next to Thomas Gordon at safety. They're going to need to be helped along. That's why Gordon has to be very good." Dienhart: "One of the running backs, probably Toussaint. They've got to get better production out of that position. That was at an historic low last year. That leads to the offensive line, too. That group has got to be a big key to this team's success, and the interior is being replaced — new guards, new center. That whole group has to do a better job of run blocking. "The tackles should be good, but the interior guys have to produce. They have to run the ball better. It could be a guy like Kyle Kalis, or Jack Miller, the center. Those guys on the interior are going to be X-factors. "Defensively, up front, they need playmakers along the line. Frank Clark is a key guy there." The Wolverine: Which games are landmines on this schedule? Dienhart: "The home game against Notre Dame shouldn't be worried about. Without [Notre Dame quarterback Everett] Golson, no … if you can't beat Tommy Rees playing in The Big House, you've got some problems. "It's a nice schedule. Going to Michigan State, you've got a bye week before that, which helps. That three-game stretch — at Michigan State, Nebraska, at Northwestern — that's tough. The Nebraska game could decide who is in the Big Ten championship game. "Michigan barely beat Northwestern last year. It took a miraculous play at the end to set up the tying kick. Those three games, and of course, the finale. Those four would concern me, and they're all in November. Hopefully by then, you've got all of your kinks worked out." Heininger: "There are some tough games in there. Any time you go on the road to Michigan State, you're going to get a game. That one looks challenging. "I think Northwestern is a real talented team. We play them toward the end of the year this year, and their issue is usually depth, whether it's within one game, getting tired toward the end and not having the talent to roll in there and spell the first-string guys, or throughout the season, getting banged up. "That may be one advantage, but on paper, that's a scary game, going to Northwestern. Our November is tough, as it should be. Like Brady Hoke says, you win championships in November, and he wouldn't have it any other way. "Notre Dame is a good team, but if they get that one, look out. At the same time, if you don't play together, the Big Ten is full of good teams you can lose to. "The good news is, I don't see a team on the schedule where I say we shouldn't win that game. If they play the way they're capable, they can win every game." Karsch: "The road games at Michigan State and Northwestern are