The Wolverine

September 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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U-M's List Of Most Indispensible Players Is Indisputable At The Top THE TOP 25 sounding, fist slam to the blackboard. Senior quarterback Denard Robin- T he question of whom Michi- gan can least afford to lose isn't even a question this year. It's an emphatic, re- BY JOHN BORTON son took the Wolverines a long way last year, assisted by a beefed-up rush- ing attack, a solid offensive line and a defense that found its way back to Michigan standards. Take Robinson out of the lineup, though, and any an- ticipated race to the Big Ten title game spirals into fleeting hope. That's why, when the staff of The Wolverine executed its annual vote on Michigan's top 25 players (based on those U-M could least afford to lose), Robinson topped all five lists submit- ted. Here's how that entire list shook out, based on an inverted points system. gears from one coaching staff to the next and not bobble Michigan's MVP honors on the way. He certainly needed to make some major adjust- ments when head coach Brady Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges came on board, but Robinson still proved extremely productive. He threw for 2,173 yards and 20 1. Denard Robinson, Sr., QB 2011 Preseason: No. 1 2011 Postseason: No. 1 Robinson proved he could shift touchdowns, while adding for 1,176 more with 16 scores on the ground. He completed 55.0 percent of his passes (142 of 258), and though his 15 interceptions drew offseason attention in terms of intensive study and throw- ing, Robinson proved threat enough to finish as a second-team All-Big Ten performer (media). More importantly, he guided the Wolverines to an 11-2 record, regular- season-ending wins over Nebraska and Ohio State, and a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. He wants more this year, and those desires focus on a Big Ten title. "The way he's grown and matured 20 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2012 Last season as a junior, quarterback Denard Robinson threw for 2,173 yards and 20 touch- downs while amassing 1,176 yards and 16 scores on the ground. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL

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