The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAIZE N' VIEW MICHAEL SPATH Michigan Can Win Big Ten In 2012 had one collective thought: "Ouch." With a trip to Dallas for the neutral- E site season opener against Alabama — which may just be the defending national champion — and road visits to Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State, the prospects of Michigan tak- ing a step forward a year from now seemed very unlikely. However, U-M could go 2-2 in non-conference play, as- suming wins over Air Force and Massachusetts, and still play for the Big Ten title. And the Wolverines shouldn't (and certainly Brady Hoke, his staff and players will not) be conced- ing losses to the Crimson Tide and the Fighting Irish in September. After finishing the non- conference slate, Michigan will benefit from a bye, a chance to refresh any phys- ical ails, and the mental ones too (if there are any), in beginning a new season — the Big Ten Conference campaign. U-M opens in West Lafayette, ven before the 2011 campaign commenced, plenty peeked ahead to the 2012 schedule and game winning streak in the series. The Wolverines have this one circled and will be ready. Certainly, MSU is formidable, especially defensively, but the Spartans will lose so much offense — quarterback Kirk Cousins, three starting wide receivers and a starting tight end — that U-M will have a terrific opportunity to pounce. Michigan wins. A trip to Lincoln could prove prob- lematic. Nebraska loses three of its best defensive players, and its offense The Wildcats can be tricky. They seem to play Michigan tough, at least for a half, every year, but Northwest- ern's defense cannot match up with quarterback Denard Robinson, and its offense will lose leadership and consistency with the departure of signal-caller Dan Persa. Michigan wins. The Wolverines will beat Iowa, too. The Hawkeyes lost three-fourths of their starting defensive line, and while Iowa always seems to reload up front, the talent level has dropped considerably on that side of the ball since 2009-10. Michigan wins. If the Maize and Blue The next time the Wolverines square off with Ohio State, a berth in the conference championship game may be on the line. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL against a Purdue team still very much seeking its identity under third-year coach Danny Hope. The Boilermakers continue to have the feel of a wide-open Joe Tiller offense, but without the stability at quarter- back. The Wolverines will be able to score, and this defense will be able to slow Purdue. Michigan wins. The Maize and Blue then host an Illinois team that will be operating with a new coaching staff. Quarter- back Nathan Scheelhaase remains a burgeoning talent, but senior receiver A.J. Jenkins departs, and the Illini have no other proven go-to players. With the right leadership, Illinois could be dangerous, but probably not for a year or two. Michigan wins. The biggest game of the season might occur Oct. 20, when Michigan State arrives in Ann Arbor on a four- 66 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2012 isn't the intimidating score-at-will unit it was hyped to be, but the Cornhusk- ers will be foaming at the mouth to ex- act revenge on a Maize and Blue team that will have spent the previous week competing with high intensity and passion. Sometimes, when on such a high, there is a natural letdown. Toss up. If Michigan can rally its emotion for two consecutive weeks, it receives a little break with a trip to Minnesota next. The Golden Gophers will be more capable in 2012 than they were in 2011 — and they showed some signs this season — but they're still a few years away from having a le- gitimate chance to take down the Big Ten's heavyweights. Michigan wins. At this point, with three games re- maining in the conference campaign, U-M could be 4-1, at worst 3-2. And the Wolverines will be 5-2 or even 6-1 after hosting Northwestern and Iowa. vanquish rival Michigan State, they should be 6-1 in conference play heading into a regular-season finale at Ohio State. A loss to MSU, and U-M is 5-2, still with, potentially, a very real chance remaining because there doesn't appear to be a dominant Legends Divi- sion foe next season. Certainly Michigan has question marks, largely on its defensive line after graduating three seniors, including Mike Martin, but the Wolverines will be solid at linebacker (three starters back), in the secondary (four starters), at wide receiver (two starters), at run- ning back (two), at quarterback (one) and even on the offensive line (four), if they can stay healthy. Tight end is also a big question mark. However, this team will only im- prove with bowl practices, winter conditioning, spring ball and sum- mer/fall camps. Looking at a sched- ule that doesn't include Wisconsin or Penn State, Michigan will have a very real opportunity to earn a Big Ten Championship Game berth when it travels south to Columbus Nov. 24, 2012. ❏ Associate Editor Michael Spath has been with The Wolverine since 2002. Contact him at mspath@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Spath_ Wolverine.