2012 Michigan Wolverines Football Quickview
2011 Record: 11-2
Head Coach: Brady Hoke- 2nd year 11-2
Returning Starters: 13 6- Offense 7- Defense
Nonconference Schedule Breakdown: Uhhh…no thanks…starting off the season against the defending “National Champs” is a tough task…then you sneak in a branch of the military like Air Force whom you have to be wary of…then UMass comes back to town after a scare vs the Minutemen back in 2010..THEN you go to South Bend where you have essentially stolen the last three games in the series vs Notre Dame…very tough schedule…if UM finishes these four games above .500 it will be considered successful by this writer….and a 2-2 finish is expected.
Schedule Rank (in the Big Ten) 2nd hardest: the only ‘break’ UM gets as far as the crossover is concerned is they don’t have to play Wisconsin…but road games vs Alabama, Notre Dame, Nebraska (only time UM played in Lincoln was in 1911..a 6-6 tie) and then at Columbus…I mean if UM can get 4 or 5 road wins…that is a huge season…
Who they don’t play in 2012: Indiana, Penn State, Wisconsin
The Skinny: UM loses its best offensive and defensive linemen..along with some depth on the D line…but hopes are high on campus…the secondary should be one of the best with a lot of playing experience and the LB’s are also pretty deep…but offensive line play and the fact that there is virtually no experience at WR other than Roy Roundtree means that the running game will be leaned on heavily… UM faithful will hold their breath even longer in 2012 in hopes that Denard Robinson can stay healthy…and improve his TD to TO ratio…only 5 QB’s in D-1 threw more INT’s than Robinson did in 2011…Michigan’s success in 2012 depends on whether or not #16 has actually improved his mechanical and mental flaws…
[5 Questions and 5 Observations as Michigan heads into fall camp]
Toughest Game in 2012: October 20th vs East Lansing…most will say Bama…maybe Notre Dame…but until Michigan beats East Lansing..this will be the game most UM supporters want to win…and it won’t be easy.
Best Player: It has to be Denard Robinson…maybe this should read most important to his team’s success…he has to be UM’s best player in the biggest games too…that is what needs to change in 2012…
What MIGHT happen: UM loses 4 of it’s 6 road games…only winning in West Lafayette and Minneapolis…
What WILL happen: UM will be 2-2 when their Big Ten season starts on October 6th…
What WON’T happen: East Lansing wins its 5th straight vs Michigan
Why they won’t win the Big Ten: The schedule…going to West Lafayette, Lincoln, Minneapolis and Columbus…considering three of those squads have the talent to make bowl games…and good ones too.
Why they will win the Big Ten: The Michigan defense improves..just a little…along with Denard Robinson improving his decision-making process after the snap…
Gotta know about the Wolverines: Denard Robinson needs 1252 yards rushing to become college football’s all-time leading rushing QB..surpassing Pat White..he would have to improve on his 2011 total of 1176 yards to do so though…I don’t think Al Borges or Brady Hoke wants to see Denard carry it that much..Brady Hoke is 8-0 in Ann Arbor as UM’s head coach.
BOLD Statement: Two current streaks will end in 2012…W’s vs Notre Dame and L’s vs East Lansing…
About Chad Godfrey
Hard to argue with your thoughts here Chad. It’s a very challenging schedule. As great as the ‘bama game is I’d almost rather they not play it. It’s going to be very tough sledding against that defense.
Sure hope #16 gets a quality academic education and a degree. He’s gonna need it in the real world…