The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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showdown of the season. All eyes turned to East Lansing, where Michigan has some in-state scores to settle before turning its own gaze toward Columbus. Given last year's 29-6 loss to the Spartans, pri- orities for some may have changed, at least temporarily. "They were embarrassed last year by Michigan State," Snyder said. "This is a chance for them to prove themselves. They can't get embar- rassed like that again. Win or lose, you can't put yourself in that posi- tion." "Ohio State's the most anticipated almost every year, but given the way things have gone with Michigan State, and especially last year, and going back up there again, that's got to be No. 1," Baumgardner concurred. "They were embarrassed last year, and I really think that's the most an- ticipated game right now." Chengelis, a Cincinnati native, couldn't disagree. "I'm from Ohio, and I can't wait to see the Michigan-Ohio State game," she said. "But the Michigan-Michigan State game is absolutely critical. Brady Hoke's future is not going to hinge on it, but it will be a very important game for the program and for Brady Hoke." All of them agreed, if the Wolver- ines are to experience a big year in 2014, it will involve fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner leading the way. All three pegged the vet- eran QB as Michigan's Most Valuable Player this year, Chengelis going so far as to tab him her breakout per- former of the year in the Big Ten. "I have always thought highly of Devin and his abilities, and I've been more impressed with his leadership ability, or the fact that he's focusing on that," she said. "He's going to have better pieces around him this fall, and that will make him better." "He's the one who is going to have to carry them, and he knows it," Sny- der said. "This is his chance to show all his skills, and what he's learned over the past few years have come to this point. Now he's got someone to harness that in [offensive coordinator] Doug Nussmeier." "I think Devin bounces back and has more of a consistent year," Baum- gardner opined. "Last year wasn't as bad as people like to make it out to be. It was a struggle for him. We've talked to him in the offseason, and he's more mature. He understands what he needs to do. He's healthy. He's the best player on the field for them, and I think he ends up being their Most Valuable Player. He almost has to be." AROUND THE BIG TEN Snyder sees Iowa as his Big Ten pro- gram on the rise, especially in a sea- son when the Hawkeyes don't have to play either Michigan school, Ohio State or Penn State. But he obviously doesn't see them bursting through to the elite of the conference. "They've got a pretty good sched- ule and they can make some waves," he said. "On the whole, in terms of improvement, the top teams are going to be hard to break into. Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin are at the top level." Meanwhile, Baumgardner and